River is Class II. Water level is low
From Kevin Lewis: The Boise River splits into two channels around Eagle Island and depending on the flows, it's not uncommon to have one or both channels choked with downed trees. This is miles downstream from the heavily used section in Boise and not commonly boated due to the hazardous conditions.
Kayaking accident in Boise River by Eagle Island leaves one person dead
Fatal kayaking accident on Boise River
A man died Monday after his kayak hit a downed tree in the Boise River. According to the Ada County Sheriff's Office, two people were kayaking on the south channel of the river around 2:45 p.m. when they came upon a fallen tree just past Linder Rd. They weren't able to avoid the tree and their kayaks flipped over when they hit it.
ACSO says one kayaker was able to get out and swim to shore. They ran to a nearby home where a resident called 911.
The other person was trapped underneath the log stuck in their kayak. Deputies arrived within minutes but were unable to free the man because the force of the water was too powerful.
Crews from Meridian, Eagle, and Middleton Fire Departments arrived to help. MFD eventually had to use a chainsaw to cut through the tree and get the man. He was removed from the water just before 4 p.m. and pronounced dead. The man's name hasn't been released.
In July, Boise River Flood District 10 put out a release warning people of downed trees, known as "strainers", in the south channel near the Eagle area. The Boise Fire Department doesn't clear this area of the river before float season and hazards can exist. Anyone kayaking or floating in this part of the river should consider pre-scouting the area before their trip.
The Ada County Sheriff's Office said it happened on Monday around 3 p.m.
Author: KTVB Staff
October 9, 2023
EAGLE, Idaho — A person has died following a kayak accident on the Boise River close to Duck Alley Rd in Eagle. The Ada County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) told KTVB, two people were kayaking in the river close to Eagle Island on Monday around 3 p.m., when one of them hit a tree and capsized.
The other kayaker was able to get out of the water and call 911. The sheriff's office said once deputies arrived, they called in Eagle, Meridian and Middleton Fire Departments to recover the body. The recovery lasted about one hour.
No more information is available at this time. KTVB will update this article.
Idaho News Channel 2
MERIDIAN, Idaho (CBS2) — On Oct. 9 at approximately 2:55 p.m., the Meridian Fire Department responded to a reported water rescue on the Boise River, west of Linder Road.
Two individuals were kayaking on the river when they struck a tree and flipped their kayaks, trapping one underneath the log and inside his kayak.
When Ada County Sheriff's Deputies arrived, they attempted to free him but could not due to the force of the water. By 4 p.m., firefighters removed enough vegetation to reach the kayaker, who had already passed away.
"Yesterday's tragedy is a stark reminder that this stretch of the river is extremely dangerous and not meant for recreation. Unlike the Boise River near Barber Park, this stretch is not maintained and can be extremely dangerous to individuals trying to recreate, including swimming and kayaking," Meridian Fire Department says. "In addition, untrimmed trees and hazards in the river make it incredibly dangerous for first responders to complete rescues.
