Accident Database

Report ID# 116519

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  • Caught in a Natural Hydraulic
  • Near Drowning
  • Other

Accident 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

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