Missing canoer found dead in Buffalo National River after 3-day search
by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | May 20, 2022 at 11:48 a.m.
The body of a missing canoer from Illinois was found in the Buffalo National River on Wednesday, three days after a search for the man began, park officials said.
Brian Hanson, 56, of Rockford, Il. was found at about 6 p.m. near the confluence with the White River, according to a news release issued Friday morning from the National Park Service. Hanson was reported missing Monday, when his canoe capsized at Clabber Creek Shoals, the release states.
Officials said several agencies and rescue groups assisted in the search for Hanson.
Park officials requested that anyone planning to come to the Buffalo National River prepare for their stay by visiting the website nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/safety.htm.
From Cowper Chadborn: Here's a short video clip that shows most of the rapid. The only thing you can't see here is that it is a right turn as you enter from the pool, followed immediately by a wide sweeping turn back to the left. You can of course see the smooth water on the inside of the bend, but the less experienced folks are invariably swept back toward the center where there haystacks are, even if they have been warned to stay left.
Clabber Creek Shoal
The closest USGS gage, Buffalo at Harriet. It is 13.6 miles upstream of the accident site. Typically, from watching past floods, the rising water moves downstream at 2.5 to 3 mph on this section of the river. I'm not 100% sure on time of accident, but I believe it was 9 or 10 AM. That puts levels at 5.4 to 5.9 feet, or 2100 to 2900 cfs at the time of the accident. Peak waves occur at about 7 feet or 4000 cfs. So while not at their greatest size, they would have been significant to the less experienced in a loaded canoe.
As you can see from the photos, there are a few willows in the current at the rapid run-out, but, those do not seem to really play a big role in most upsets. There is little doubt in my mind the man would have survived had he simply been wearing his PFD. Water temps are likely in 60's. Body was found about River mile 152, which is one mile from Junction with White River. That's 22 miles downstream of the accident site, and suggests that the body must have floated within 24 to 36 hours of when it went into the water.
If you want a name for an official NPS spokesperson, I can find that out. Here's a short video clip that shows most of the rapid. The only thing you can't see here is that it is a right turn as you enter from the pool, followed immediately by a wide sweeping turn back to the left. You can of course see the smooth water on the inside of the bend, but the less experienced folks are invariably swept back toward the center where there haystacks are, even if they have been warned to stay left.
