Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Tuesday

March 20, 2012

Authorities: Boardman River is dangerous

By Loraine Anderson landerson@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Authorities issued a warning this morning for kayakers and canoeists to stay off the Boardman River that's become non-navigable and unsafe in some places because of downed trees and high, fast-running water.

"It's really dangerous because the river is so fast and the water so high, said Steve Largent, Boardman River program coordinator for the Grand Traverse County Soil Conservation District. "It's blocked by downed trees from the recent heavy snowstorm and there are many log jams.

"If someone gets caught under a log jam or into the brush, they'll not get out," he said. "The high-water makes it extremely dangerous for both paddlers and volunteers trying to open the river. I've never seen it this bad in the 24 years on the river."

People should stay off the river until the water recedes and it's safe for volunteer crews to open it up, Largent said. Many of the downed trees are large and can only be removed with saws and ropes by people experienced in removing logjams and trees from the river.

See Wednesday's Record-Eagle for more on this story.

Text Only