The Dangers Of Low Head Dams

[@DrSackfull]

Ive been in one of these , with footballs, plastic bottles,gas bottle and bits of trees,
From what appeared like a small easy to run waterfall at the beginning of a day out, it certainly was not.
the second the front of my kayak touched down into the lower water it pulled straight back into the fall, rolling me out of the boat , the paddle was torn out of my hand with the greatest force of current i have ever felt, and i was sucked toward the fall , my boat and paddle joining the footballs ,rolling in the recircluating current,
I kicked off the wall of the fall as it drawn me toward it , going under water ,kicking off the bottom as bubbling water erupted around me like volcanos (boils) luckily for me and probably what saved me was my friend following on a sit on top surf kayak, i grabbed onto the SURF kayak after he shot the fall ,and he was screaming in panic as it drew us toward the fall, i reassured him he was ok as i was the one in the water! 😮 with him paddling full power and me kicking behind we made it 4-5 metres out from the fall , the concrete floor grazing the boat at about 30cm depth! As we stood in almost ankle depth water looking back into it , the boat and paddle just endlessly rolling ,the bottles, trees, gas bottle, footballs the 4m high vertical concrete walls made it a hell hole 🕳 , we fished the boat n paddle out with a rope and hook and carried on the day boating all though pretty shook up, not until i got back and did research i realised we'd been in a low head dam , basically water purification , aeration waterfall , the signs are just not there to warn people. I make sure to explain this to everyone i take near water.
Just be safe people , Its not the size of the fall but whats happening beneath it ❤

[@FishingLocalWaters]

Thank you for this epic story. It drives home the dangers associated with these dams. They have historical significance, create a water source and often a beautiful landscape. On the other hand, they block the migration of aquatic animals, add heat to the water, via standing pools, and create the hazards (often unknown) you experience. Thank God for partners. I too have a few I need to buy drinks for. These epics bonds you for life. See you on the river.