| River: | Delaware |
|---|---|
| Reach #: |
Delaware [NJ]
|
| Section: | Lambertville Wing Dam |
| Gauge: | 15,000 cfs |
| Water Level: | High |
| Difficulty: | III |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal |
| Age: | 32 |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Open Canoe |
| Number of Occupants: | 2 |
| Number in Group: | 4 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Detailed Description: | LAMBERTVILLE WING DAM CLAIMS CANOEIST May 21, 1989 Robert Eschelman, 32, paddling tandem and accompanied by a second tandem canoe, drowned in the large waves in the rapids near Lambertville on the SOURCE: AMC Paddle Splashes |
| Conclusions: | ANALYSIS: This rapid, a mile-long Class II in summer, becomes a big water class III+ at high water. Even expert tandem canoe paddlers had best be careful here, and I suspect the second boat had their hands full, and was in no position to offer assistance. The river is over a half mile wide here, and there are no eddies. Swamped paddlers can expect to be washed a long way. Canoes without flotation become completely unmanageable when swamped. Hypothermia is the real risk here because of the length immersion, and probably contributed to this drowning. |
| Report Status: | Completed |
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