Learning to read the water
is a valuable skill for boaters running fast moving rivers and waterways. Here
are some commonly seen water hazards that boaters should learn. |
|
Reading the river is a time honored skill for mariners interested in plying
waterways safely. Identifying common waterway hazards is a skill that can be
developed with some practice. The most important hint for all boaters is to
look at the water ahead of their vessel. Focusing directly in front of the boat
takes the boater's attention away from the overall picture presented by a
watercourse. Jetboats and paddlers are looking for the same thing, visible
rocks, traits shown by submerged rocks, and other hazards created by trees or
manmade structures. The following hazards can be observed by boaters,
especially with a little help from another experienced boater or coach.
Holes – Water flows around the rocks found in a river. A
rock submerged low enough into the water will have water flowing over its peak.
Depending on its volume, water pouring over a submerged rock can form a hole or
area of reversed current that will hold a floating object in. Kayakers love to
play in holes, just remember its harder to get out of one after you are tired.
Very large holes can be dangerous and hold a paddler for a long time.
Hydraulics – Lower volumes of water pouring over an object
create an eddy or flat hole below them in the river. Low-head dams or
continuous ledges that are hard to see from upstream form the worst of these
eddies. Backwash from a strong hydraulic can trap a paddler and require outside
help for escape. Larger examples can easily flip boats and shake things up.
Eddy – Water pouring over an object forms an upstream
current flowing back towards the obstruction. Water can also pillow up in front
of an object and flow inward behind it form an eddy.
Eddy Line – The line separating up and downstream currents
formed by eddies are eddy lines. Stronger river volumes produce more distinct
eddy lines that can be quite wide. Water is mix, confused and marked with cross
currents. Pronounced eddy lines are a definite waterway hazard to respect.
Sweepers and Strainers – Rivers regularly undercut banks
and drop trees into the water. Trunks and branches crossing a river along water
to pass through them, but can easily trap a raft or kayak. These are known as
strainers and pose the greatest hazard to boaters on a river. Watch for
unexplained currents and telltale trigs or branches bouncing up and down in the
current that mark a submerged tree. Branches extending over a river surface
that can peel a boater off their craft are sweepers. These should be easily
visible during regular scans of the water ahead of your boat.
Manmade Objects – Bridge abutments, pilings, and low-head
dams are a hazard to all river runners. ..... 
Full view
