UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT THE DANGER ZONES NEAR DAMS
By Nancy McGrath

Last month, two inexperienced and ill-equipped kayakers intentionally tried to kayak through a breach in the flashboards of an 18-foot high dam in New Hampshire, ignoring safety fencing and warning signs. Both kayakers were thrown from their kayaks once they passed through the breach, and were trapped in the cold, rolling water at the tailwater of the dam. One kayaker never came up.

There have been numerous fatalities at dams throughout the country, but when incidents like this happen close to home, it reminds us of the dangers associated with the flow of water around dams and how attractive that danger can be to the public. A great many of you have seen what the force of water can do to earth or concrete on a dam. The force of water flowing over or through a spillway is extremely powerful, and generally can’t be physically overcome by people.

As the water flows over the dam, it creates a circular pull of water towards the bottom of the dam. This is what pulls a person back towards the dam, then underwater and then around back towards the dam. Once caught in this "drowning machine," it's impossible to escape. Every year people are killed or seriously injured at dams. Most of these accidents could be avoided by simply staying clear of the restricted zones at dams, by understanding the dangers dams can create, and by obeying all warning devices. If you have visitors at your dam, make sure they understand the potential dangers.