*Disclaimer: The materials in this article represent a limited experience of an adrenaline chasing high school student. This writing does not constitute professional advice. Anyone should always use their best judgment when partaking in these activities.
Throughout the month of May, the rivers have been changing and rising drastically, and have turned into a playground for whitewater kayakers, paddleboarders, and rafters. Water can be measured in cubic feet per second (CFS), which is the measure of the volume of water passing a specific point each second of time. According to waterdata.usgs.gov, on May 1st, the water levels in the Wenatchee River were at about 10,000 CFS and rose to 17,000 CFS on May 5th. Then it dropped down to 8,000 on May 11th, and rose again to almost 18,000 on May 17th, and stayed at that level from the 17th to the 22nd. These changing water levels mean bigger waves, stronger eddy lines, and new features that might not have been there at lower water.
When choosing to do these sports at high water, people need to have a good understanding of the river and its currents, as well as the ability to read the water and anticipate changes in the flow.
The high-water levels are very appealing to people such as rafters, kayakers, and white-water paddle boarders. When choosing to do these sports at high water, people need to have a good understanding of the river and its currents, as well as the ability to read the water and anticipate changes in the flow. It’s important to always wear a life jacket and helmet, as these sports can be dangerous if proper safety precautions aren’t taken. Even if someone is a strong swimmer, unexpected currents and debris in the water can make it difficult to stay afloat. “I know how to swim, but when the water gets really high I always wear a lifejacket to keep myself safe,” said Aiden Tuttle (12). It is always very important to take extra precautions when going out on the water just in case something unexpected happens.
Another key safety tip is to avoid going out on the river alone. Having a buddy with one can make all the difference in an emergency. Plus, it is always more fun to share the experience with someone else. If a rafter, kayaker, or water enthusiast ends up swimming in the river through a daunting rapid when they are by themselves, the consequences can end up being much worse than if someone was there who could help. If this does happen, the best safety precautions are to float on your back, keep your feet up and have them downstream, and avoid trees, bushes, and boulders. Make sure to stay calm and try to swim to shore if it is safe to do so. At these levels, I always go on the river with at least one other person when I go kayaking. Every weekend, I go kayaking with my friends typically down the Play Run, which is from Dryden down to Cashmere. My partners usually include my dad, Ethan Fallon, Brendan Fallon, Canyon Tritt, Shannon and Rob Fallon. Also, there are always tons of other people out on the water that I get to talk to and connect with. It is awesome and such a heartwarming experience. I just feel safer, and it is also just so much more fun and enjoyable to be out on the river with people bonding over something we all love.
Link to find water levels:
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