It May be Hot Outside, But Oregon Waterways Are Still Very Cold

Safe & Sound Reminder From The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Rescue Unit.

Photo courtesy: Boating Safety Oregon

(Oregon City) - The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine Rescue Unit would like to remind everyone the present temperature of the Clackamas River is only 53 degrees, combined with an enormous volume of water resulting from this years abundant snow melt. The United States Geological Service reporting this Clackamas River is discharging at a rate of 1662 cubic feet per second.

At 1:00 PM Friday, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine Rescue responded to assist four teenagers who were floating the Clackamas River on inner tubes, encountered some turbulent water and were separated from their inner tubes; reportedly, with no personal floatation devices being worn.

This group of four teenagers became scattered about the river clinging to tree limbs and stranded on an island shivering from the cold-water temperatures. Two females were collected from the water by a fisherman with a net, and concerned golfers who recognized the two females needed assistance. This incident occurred next to the Sah Hah Lee golf course, located at 17104 SE 130th, in Clackamas.

By the time a Clackamas County Marine rescue boat arrived in the area, the two shivering male subjects had been able to maneuver to shore safely.

As a precautionary measure, American Medical Response team arrived on the scene and evaluated one of the females who had been assisted from the river.

Reportedly, this female had ingested a large quantity of water during this mishap on the water when she reports being submerged for a brief period of time in this cold and turbulent section of the river.

All involved were deemed in good condition and considered each other fortunate to have been able to attract the immediate attention of concerned citizens.

The names of these individual teens are not presently available and no citations were issued. Alcohol did not appear to be detected or a factor in this incident.

Please allow this incident to serve as a cautious reminder to all the hazards that exist with the present river temperature, water conditions and the arrival of warm sunny afternoons.

And of course, most importantly…wear a personal floatation device at all times while on the water.