Authorities Urge Caution On Root River Following Drowning, Rescues
RUSHFORD, Minn. (WCCO) -- After a weekend drowning and two other river rescues, the Fillmore County sheriff is urging extreme caution on a popular river.
Each summer, tubers, canoers and kayakers flock to the Root River in southern Minnesota. But recent heavy rains have greatly increased its flow, and, in many places, it is filled with logs and other hidden debris.
"With the rainfall we've had, it's caused the river to rise, it's quicker, it's swifter," said Sheriff Tom Kaase.
On Saturday, a Minneapolis woman drowned when the canoe she was in overturned. Earlier in the month, first responders were called out to rescue other parties, who were lost in the night.
"You just don't have easy access where you might have the emergency," Kaase said.
Local outfitters equip customers with life vests and urge them to use caution and common sense.
"If not careful, you can get into danger at any time," said Kirsten Aderton, who likes to going tubing on the river.
The popularity of what's known as cow tanking -- floating in large steel water tanks -- is of special concern.
Even so, most people prefer to navigate the river on tubes and canoes.
The swollen river is littered with logs and other debris, which act like hidden torpedoes, waiting to capsize a steel tank or unsuspecting canoe.
The woman who drowned on Saturday was 63-year-old Wendy Beth Anderson. She was with her husband when their canoe hit something and capsized.
First responders performed CPR but it was too late.
One issue for first responders is that calling for help in the area is difficult. The Root River Valley is surrounded by bluffs, and there's little cell phone service.