Local rescue officials warning kayakers to remain vigilant of hidden hazards and water release schedules following a string of recent rescues on the Caney Fork River.
Smith County Rescue Squad Volunteer Ricky Gibbs said a group of three kayakers required assistance Tuesday after one individual overturned in a narrow section of the river. Gibbs said the kayak struck a tree and was pulled underwater by the force of the river.
“This time of year we go so many times to the Caney Fork we kind of lose count of them,” Gibbs said. “You can have one a week you can have a couple a weekend sometimes. It just it just depends a lot of times like I said it depends on the generation schedule. A lot of people are not aware of that and some novice kayakers will get out there when the water’s moving real good and they’ll get in they’ll get in trouble.”
Gibbs said TVA provides a mobile application that lists generation schedules for the release of water from Center Hill Dam. Gibbs said rising water levels can submerge debris such as stumps and trees that flip kayaks unexpectedly.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had several drownings on the Caney Fork probably one every other year or one every three years and that doesn’t seem like a lot but actually it’s way too many when you consider they’re doing this for fun and out there just enjoying the day and they have this happen to them unexpectedly,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs said bridge pillars along the interstate are particularly dangerous because the current can pull paddlers into the structures or into debris that has collected on the upstream side. Gibbs said while adults are only legally required to have a life jacket with them, the rescue squad encourages everyone to wear them at all times.
“A lot of people are just not familiar with that part of it and don’t think a lot about it,” Gibbs said. “I mean when they’re not generating and you go out there and look you can see gravel bars and nice slow calm rivers for the most part but when they start generating depending on whether it’s one or two or more generators when it starts rising it rises rapidly.”
Gibbs said kayakers should constantly look downstream for signs of underwater debris and respect the power of the river.
