The Town of Cochrane Fire Services is currently informing citizens about the importance of river safety.
Due to humidity being so high this time of year, bigger storm cells are able to form, and that leads to bigger storms. This can result in a series of nice mornings and nice mid-days, then severe thunder showers and hail in the afternoon.
“And if you're out on the river and you're wet and you're far from the boat launch or the pickup, it can be a pretty uncomfortable position to be in,” said Cochrane Fire Chief Shawn Polley.
Polley said that if you're out on the river when this dramatic shift happens, it can turn into a serious situation very fast. Temperature can drop dramatically alongside the sudden downpour of heavy rain and even hail.
“We want to make sure if you're going to go out on the river, that you're actually prepared for that inevitability," Polley said. "So that would mean being prepared to be outside, and being prepared to get off the river if it’s unsafe or if you see lightning, or of course if it's going to be a great day like it is this week, make sure you stay hydrated.”
It is also important that individuals have their own personal life jacket or their own Personal Floatation Device. And if you are choosing to take a boat, the Fire Chief emphasizes the need to choose a boat that's appropriate for the river, such as a multi-cell boat.
Polley explained how the Bow River is glacial fed, making it a cold water reservoir, and that means you have to watch for hypothermia, even in the heat of the summer.
“It's not what you see on social media," Polley said. "Sometimes you can be out there on the river for several hours if you're going on a float from the reservoir down into town.”
It is also recommended that floaters and boaters scout out their pathway beforehand so that they’re aware if they’re going around a blind corner what obstacles may be in their way such as trees or other debris.
Polley said, “We want to make sure that you are doing things safely, and going in that recreation area you are in the wild,”
Although the River can be a fun way to cool off during this scorching time of year, it is also important to keep in mind the safety threats that come along with it, and follow the recommendation of your local Fire Chief as best as possible.
