| River: | Arkansas |
| Section: | G. Stone Bridge to Rincon (Salida Town) |
| Location: | 5 mi above Salida |
| Water Level: | Medium |
| Difficulty: | VI |
| Accident Code(s): | Lowhead Dam |
| Injury Code(s): | Injured Shoulder, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Inexperienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Open Canoe |
| Boat Model: | 17 foot |
| Number of Occupants: | 2 |
| Number in Group: | 2 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Detailed Description: | On June 19th, 1987 a man and his girlfriend launched a 17 foot canoe on the Arkansas River about five miles above Salida, CO. This 6' high structure is known to be dangerous and is well marked with warning signs. The man convinced the woman the dam was runable. The canoe, predictably, flipped and became stuck in the hydraulic. The woman washed free; the man became entangled in the straps of his Type II PFD and drowned. When he finally washed out the woman made the rescue and summoned help. Source: Casey Swanson |
| Report Status: | Completed |