https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Journal/show-page/issue/1/page/37/year/1959/ On March 22, 1959 William D, Welch, 36, lost his life on the Charles River in Massachusetts during an instruction program sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Club. The pond above a dam at Watertown has often been used for these events, but on that day high water and a strong downstream wind created a dangerous situation. Welch and his wife were swept over the dam early in the class. No life vests were worn. His wife washed downstream and was rescued, but Mr. Welch was caught in the hydraulic and drowned. A passerby who knew the area waded out into the river and recovered his body.