People still ignoring river rules
Posted Jun 28, 2011 8:05 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Emergency officials say they’re concerned some thrill-seekers are still choosing to steer towards a section of the Bow River nicknamed the “drowning machine.”
They’re also anticipating an increase in calls as the weather heats up.
Calgary Fire Battalion Chief Al Magwood says each and every time they initiate a rescue or recovery call, it’s a huge use of time and man-power.
“You have to understand that we have three halls that respond to water rescue calls and whenever they’re tied up responding to that type of event, they’re not able to respond to other ones (like) house fires,” says Magwood.
He says typically they have a boom to prevent boaters from getting into the deadly passage, but water levels have been too high to put the netting in place; as soon as the water recedes it will be put back to keep boaters out.
“From upstream at the zoo to Harvie Passage, there will still be the traditional boom to keep people from using the river, so someone will actually have to make the effort to come in and use that area,” he says.
The passage is currently in the midst of a $17.5-million facelift to make the river safer for everyone.
It won’t re-open until late this summer or early next spring.
Since 1975, the weir has claimed 14 lives.
