VIDEO: With temperatures nearing triple digits across the Willamette Valley, many are headed to the water to cool off. But Eugene Springfield Fire says rivers like the Willamette and McKenzie may be more dangerous than they appear – especially during heat waves. Fire Chief Mike Caven says the river is actually the most dangerous option available to cool off; pools and lakes are much safer.
Caven says recent drownings in the Willamette river and Dexter Reservoir have a clear pattern – people entering the water without life vests or using flotation devices meant for pools, not rivers. And even in the summer, Oregon rivers stay really cold – often in the low 50s. That temperature shock can trigger muscle cramps, grasping, or sudden disorientation. Caven warns that Oregon rivers can go from calm to dangerous in seconds – especially with hidden hazards like rocks, debris and obstructions that trap swimmers underwater. “When it’s hot, like today, and you jump right into that cold environment, that can cause you to react negatively, your body to panic a little bit in there,” Chief Caven explains.
“So, if you don’t have a flotation device that’s rated for the river, or you don’t have a life vest on, you can get into trouble much more quickly than you think.”Chief Caven recommends sticking to certified watercrafts like white water rafts, using a flotation device, sticking with a buddy, and always having a plan in case someone gets separated. And with fire crews already responding to multiple water rescues this month, the message is simple: just play it safe.
