KAYAKER CAUGHT IN HIGH WATER EDDY

            A kayaker was rescued on the Virginia side of Great Falls Park on the Potomac River in the fall of 1997. The level was about nine feet (105,000 cfs and just under bankfull); water temperature was 39 degrees; air temperature was 45 degrees. The put-in from Great Falls Park in Virginia was extremely turbulent. There was debris in the eddy and in horrible “swirl eddies” just downstream of the big pu-on eddy. The reactionaries coming off of the wall below these “swirl eddies” were absolutely monstrous. A few weeks ago, I put in at 10.5 feet (145,000 cfs) with a lot of debris in the eddy but not much coming down the river. After a few moments I opted to get back out and walk downstream to safer put-in. The “swirl eddies” had large trees and stumps tumbling in  15-foot high boils and pillows. With all the debris I never could get lined up right for the ferry, so I took out. My two paddling buddies ferried across without incident. Although this is a reasonable put-in for a Class V boater, as the debris level goes up, the put-in can quickly become unmanageable.

            The ‘victim’ was an experienced local kayaker with 10 to 15 years on the water and plenty of Class V time. He’s active in the local boating community. Lately he hasn’t been getting out much. He put in, flipped, and swam. He swirled around in the eddy until two other kayakers eventually got him to shore. Meanwhile a park ranger. The ranger arrived with a full-sized throw bag and helped the two kayakers get the victim onto the bank. He credited to two kayakers with the rescue. The incident, unfortunately, made the D.C. newspapers.

SOURCE: posted to rec.boats.paddle