Boise-area man dies after paddleboard incident at diversion dam on the Payette River
by SPENCER RENTFRO, IdahoPress.com
Jul 15, 2026
A 48-year-old man from the Boise area died following a paddleboarding incident on the Payette River on the evening of July 4, according to the Gem County Sheriff’s Office and Gem County Coroner. Emergency crews were dispatched at about 8 p.m. to the diversion dam east of the Washington Bridge after receiving a report of a water emergency.
The victim, identified as Ninolito Fuentes, was pronounced dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by first responders. Deputies from the Gem County Sheriff’s Office, along with personnel from Gem County Fire and Gem County EMS, responded to the incident. Gem County Coroner John Buck ruled the cause of death was suffocation due to drowning and the manner of death was accidental.
According to Capt. William Barry of the Gem County Sheriff’s Office, Fuentes was paddleboarding on the river with acquaintances but had gotten ahead of the group. Barry said Fuentes told the others to go around the diversion dam while he continued over it.
“They didn’t see him after he went over the diversion dam,” Barry said. “A short time later, he was found face down and nonresponsive in the water.”
Investigators believe Fuentes was knocked or fell from his paddleboard after going over the diversion dam and became trapped in the hydraulic current created by the structure before being released downstream.
“When first responders showed up, they attempted life-saving measures, and they were unsuccessful,” Barry said.
Barry encouraged recreationists to wear life jackets while on the water, noting that Idaho law requires anyone using a paddleboard, kayak or boat to have a life jacket available. Children 14 and younger are required to wear one.
“Kids 14 and under have to have it on, but we would certainly encourage that they — particularly those who don’t know how to swim — wear their life jackets while they’re out on the water or, at the very least, have one available to them,” Barry said.
He also urged river users to avoid going over diversion dams.
“Those are always dangerous,” Barry said. “They should always get out and go around the diversion dam on the river.”
Barry added that boaters and floaters should also remain alert for other river hazards, including overhanging tree branches and other obstacles that can trap or entangle people in moving water.
The Messenger-Index previously reported a fatal accident near the diversion dam on July 4, 2019, when a group of five women floating the Payette River went over the structure. One woman died, another was life-flighted, and the three other women were treated at Valor Health. A man died July 4 of 2026 following a water emergency at the dam.