As Clark County heats up, regional officials tasked with keeping outdoor recreation enthusiasts safe would like to remind everyone itching to take a dip in area lakes and streams that the water is still cold, and it stays chilly year-round.
Around this time of the year, the water temperature measures around 55 degrees. By September, the water reaches around 60 degrees. Officials say anything under 70 degrees should be treated with caution.
The problem isn’t necessarily hypothermia, a dangerously low body temperature. The body ceases to function in a helpful way long before the condition sets in. When boaters fall into cold water, their muscles can seize up; the frigid conditions can cause involuntary gasping underwater.
Physically fit people aren’t immune from these problems, said Christina Fremont, communications consultant for Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s boating program. The commission manages recreation on the state’s waterways, not just parkland.
“It’s typical that falls overboard are unexpected, so it’s important to be prepared,” Fremont said.
According to the latest data from the parks’ boating program, in 2017, there were 114 recreational boating accidents, involving 15 deaths, reported to Washington law enforcement. One of those instances was reported as a disappearance that was eventually ruled another death. Those accidents caused about $1.28 million of property damage, according to the data.
The three primary causes for boating accidents are operator inattention, operation inexperience and alcohol and drug use, accounting for 23, 15 and 9 percent, respectively, of the accidents where the cause is known, according to the boating program.
Locally, Clark County saw six accidents involving three injuries and no fatalities in 2017, according to the data. The accidents reportedly caused $68,950 in property damage.
Motorboats are involved in more than half of the reported fatal accidents, but deadly incidents involving “paddlesport vessels” are trailing only a bit behind. Paddlesports are the fastest growing type of water recreation nationwide, according to Outdoor Foundation and local officials.
It’s increasing popularity is creating dangerous situations.
Clark County Deputy Sheriff Todd Baker said paddlers, whether in kayaks or riding on stand-up boards, often do not identify as boaters, but they should as they’re sharing the water with more traditional vessels and the same dangers apply to their choice of watercraft.
Common problems Baker has seen with paddlers: timing, as they head out onto the water too late in the day; and lack of preparation, in terms of gear or having the correct equipment for shifting conditions.
“They’re not dressed for the water or the weather,” the deputy sheriff said.
Waterways like the Columbia River and large bodies of water such as Vancouver Lake require specialized craft. Cheap kayaks and paddle boards sold at many stores aren’t sufficient, he said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been working with manufacturers to put water safety materials in the packaging for the smaller, personal craft, said Amber Tilton, Park Ranger at The Dalles Lock and Dam. Many of the practices encouraged are the same as they would be for boats, she said.
Here are the best practices for boating:
- First and foremost, be prepared. Simply put, expect the worse.
- Recreation enthusiasts should educate themselves. There is a plethora of information online about boating laws, which can include federal and state statutes and local ordinances.
- Officials encourage carrying two ways to communicate, specifically devices that still work when they get wet such as whistles, water-resistant cellphones and marine radios. Having the ability to grab the attention of people nearby increases safety.
- Check the weather before heading out on the water. Officials advise that potentially dicey weather can ruin weekend plans, but the dangers are real — when in doubt, don’t go out.
- Always wear a lifejacket. Washington and Oregon law requires all vessels — including canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards — to have at least one lifejacket for each person onboard.
- Don’t drink alcohol or smoke marijuana and then go boating. It’s the equivalent of driving a car while under the influence.
