Accident Database

Report ID#67560

2022-09-27
accident date
Unidentified Paddlers
victim
n/a
victim age
Feather, N. Fork
river
2) Rock Creek Dam to Rock Creek Powerhouse
section
Lobin skatepark slide
location
800cfs
gage
Medium
water level
IV
river difficulty
Caught in a Natural Hydraulic
cause code(s)
Near Drowning
injury type(s)
Other
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

Over the course of the September 24/25 release weekend, several people were caught and repeatedly recirculated in a natural hydraulic on Lobin. In one of the lower rapids on the run, approximately 1 rapid below Little Knarley, the river splits into three channels. The left channel is rocky but benign waves, the middle channel is a ramp to a chunky boof, and the right slot is a granite auto-boof. This right slot is typically benign because paddlers have plenty of momentum past it. However, if a paddler does end up in it, there is current coming in from both river right and river left that prevents significant outflow for bouyant objects. Several swimmers over the weekend remained in the hydraulic until assisted out, either by bag throw or the end of a boat. The feature still existed and recirculated logs at approximately 400cfs on Monday. It is not clear whether the feature has changed in recent years to become stickier or simply the large attendance over the weekend highlighted a naturally present hydraulic. j