With the warm days of spring and accompanying heavy rains, Indiana rivers and streams undergo a radical change. What was once a slow meandering waterway can quickly be changed into a nightmare of Class 4 and 5 rapids.

Unfortunately, many take the high waters as a chance to take a “wild ride” on the river. That can be a choice leading to a tragic outcome.

Two extreme dangers during times of high water on our Midwest rivers are low-head dams and sweepers.

Any dam on a river constitutes a constant danger as the water below the dam circulates boats or human bodies in a constant circular motion back to the face of the dam. This very situation during a scheduled conservation officers’ river rescue training claimed the life of Sgt. Karl Kelly when his boat engine malfunctioned. The boat was pulled back under the discharge of the dam and capsized. The rotating current below the dam repeatedly pulled Kelly under. Despite wearing a topline personal flotation vest and with assisting officers on the scene, Kelly died from the encounter with the dam’s tail waters.

Low-head dams on a river can kill even the most experienced rough water expert.

Sweepers are more common, but can be just as deadly. A sweeper is when a large tree falls across the river and stays there. Water rushing through the submerged limbs can flip a boat and pin occupants underwater. Drowning is eminent, as the power of the water holds the boats occupants submerged against the limbs.

Indiana Conservation Officers issue a stern warning against challenging flooded rivers with a canoe, kayak or any raft or boat. Stay away!

A good guideline is… “If The Water Is Brown, Turn Around.” 

Vernon completes trail construction

On April 26, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the town of Vernon celebrated the opening of the Muscatatuck Park Trail.

“Trails provide vital connections between people and the places where we live, work, and play,” said Dale Brier, DNR deputy director of community grants and trails. “This new trail in Vernon will help connect people with more outdoor recreation opportunities in their own community, and we’re honored that DNR and Next Level Trails were able to partner on this project.”

The 1.25-mile asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by the town of Vernon with help from a $1.86 million Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. The award was announced in February 2021 as part of the second grant round of NLT.

The new trail consists of two contiguous but distinct segments in the town of Vernon. A 0.5-mile natural-surface mountain bike and hiking trail will connect the town of Vernon to Vinegar Mill Overlook in Muscatatuck Park. Within Vernon, a 0.75-mile asphalt trail will connect Vernon Gym to Vernon Commons, a historic park. Partners include Jennings County Parks and Recreation Department and Jennings County Community Foundation.

“The citizens of the town of Vernon have been thrilled with this project and watched progress as it developed, and are ready to formally open it to the rest of Jennings County and the State of Indiana. They are especially grateful to the Jennings County Community Foundation, the Jennings County Park Board, The Jennings County Council, the Local Boy Scout Troop 541, and mostly to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for making this a reality,” said Mayor Brad Bender.

Body recovered from Lake Michigan

Indiana Conservation Officers were investigating after the body of a missing angler was recovered on April 28 from Lake Michigan.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m., Porter County Central Communications received a 911 call reporting that a man identified as Michael Barnes, 67, of Valparaiso, had gone under the surface of the water approximately 60 yards from shore near Burns Ditch after attempting to retrieve his boat, which had drifted from a beach area as he fished from shore.

Multiple private fishing vessels began searching the area, joined by an Indiana Dunes National Park Ranger who boarded one of the vessels and relayed information to the United States Coast Guard, Lake County Sheriff’s Department Marine and Aviation Units, and Indiana Conservation Officers.

At 1:40 p.m., using an unmanned remotely operated vehicle equipped with sonar and video, conservation officers located Barnes body, which Portage Fire Department divers recovered from the water. 

‘till next time,  

Jack

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com 

Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid,” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.