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 Massachussets during an instrucyion program sponsored by the Appalachian Moutain Club. The pond above a dam at Watertown has ofren beenn used for these events, but on that day high water and a strong downstream wind created a dangerous situation. Welch anmd his wife were swept over the dam eearly in the class. No life vests were worn. His wife washed downstream and was rescued, but Mr. Welch was caugfht in the hydraulic and drowned. A passerby who knew the area waded out into the river and recovered his body.