PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — With sunny, warm weather forecast for Mother’s Day weekend, police and firefighters in Oregon are warning swimmers and boaters to respect chilly waters and strong currents.
Lt. Randy Scherman of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s water rescue team has a simple piece of advice: if you don’t know how to swim, don’t pick this weekend to jump in a river.
Clackamas County sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Phillips tells The Oregonian that the temperature in the Willamette River is about 51 degrees. Snowmelt feeding other rivers makes them even colder.
He says anyone on a river, whether floating or boating, should use an approved life jacket.
