Boise River danger: 'Watch your pets - watch your kids' | Local ...

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) - The Boise River is dangerous now that water managers are releasing water into the river from the Lucky Peak Dam.

Water operations manager Brian Sauer said the release of water from the dam will reduce the risk of flooding later this spring when snow packs begin to melt.

"The water is very cold and as flows have gone from 200 to 3,000 cubic feet per second, the currents are a lot faster," Sauer said.

Fast currents become increasingly dangerous this time of year when more people decide to get out the house and go into the river for recreation. The currents can get so strong that anyone who ventures too far into the water could get swept away and either drown or die from hypothermia. (Photos of the Boise River Friday morning >>>)

The most vulnerable are dogs who fetch sticks and inflatable toys from the river.

"I always keep my dog on a leash to make sure because I know there are definitely dangers here, " said dog owner and Boise resident Linda Silvani.

Jim and Sally Dunn are a Boise couple who live next to the river and often witness people doing dangerous acts on the river this time of year.

"We've seen boys hanging from the bridge and drop into the water. I tell them there is about two feet of land in the area and they can break a leg of their back and they just laugh at me and let go of the bridge," Jim said.

"I know when the water gets up, they put in canoes down below the dam and there is too low a bridge coverage there," Sally said.

Sauer said the dangers can always be avoided by doing simple things.

"Watch your pets. Watch your kids and watch yourself," Sauer said.

Source: http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Boise-River-dangers-weekend-kids-pets-142129873.html

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