DNR: Stay Away From Low-Head Dams At Any Cost

Over the past month several kayakers have been sucked into what are known as low-head dams on Indiana’s waterways.  First responders rescued some, but others lost their lives. While the dams can look relatively tame, state officials are trying to send a strong message: don’t go near a low head dam.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Lindsey Wright reports.

Ron Lewis is the general manager of Rusted Moon Outfitters, an outdoor sporting goods store in Broad Ripple. He’s been active in water paddling sports for more than 40 years. So, as he helps customers in the store, you can tell he knows what he’s doing.

But Lewis is frustrated. And that frustration stems from low-head dams.

They’re man-made structures that were put in place across the state around a century ago and for various reasons like to power a mill. There are around 150 in Indiana and some are still being used today to create water supply.  Lewis says the structures can be deceiving.

“They look so simple, they look so innocent, but the physics are so strong.”

Ron Lewis of Rusted Moon Outfitters. (Photo: Steve Burns)

Lewis’ frustration isn’t directed at the dams though, it’s the people coming into contact with them. He says people using the rivers need to be better prepared.

The drop offs on the dams can be rather small, some just about a foot or so. But when a kayaker, swimmer, or fisher gets caught in one, Capt. Bill Browne with the DNR says, the result can be deadly.

“The water will push them down because we’re buoyant we will come off the bottom, we’ll come right back up in that back wash and it’s almost like a washing machine… a circle… it will trap anything in that… that’s the danger in a low head dam.”

According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, at least 28 people have died in Indiana in the last 20 years due to a low head dam. And Browne says more than one-third of deaths are people trying to rescue someone else.

“If you see someone here and you don’t understand the boil and you think you’re gonna go save them, you become a victim yourself caught up in something you can’t escape.”

Browne says it’s a throwing rescue ONLY.

You can get what’s known as a throw bag and you can get them at most sporting good stores. You throw the bag over the victim’s shoulder, grasp the rope, all while yelling to the victim.  Browne demonstrates at the White River

“Put it over your shoulder, lay on your back, kick kick kickkick kick kick and I’m pulling you as you’re doing that.”

The message to keep your distance from low head dams is not new. Some have had safety mechanisms installed to decrease the intensity of the churning water. Some have even been broken up and removed, but that’s costly.

Marty Benson, DNR assistant director of communications, says another option would be to install more warning signs, but that presents its own challenges.

“Once you get into the current of a low head dam, it’s too late to turn around, so do you put it way upstream?”

Overall, officials agree that those interested in using Indiana’s water ways need to be aware of low head dam dangers through research and education..

“Be careful be smart, have a plan when you go into the water and if the water is high and dangerous don’t go in it and stay away from a low head dam at any cost because it could be your last trip.”

And Lewis couldn’t agree more. He says some of the fatal drownings could have been prevented. But he also has another important message for the public.

“This isn’t something we shouldn’t do, this is just one other safety rule, wear a lifejacket, be sober, paddle with experience.”

Experts say if you plan to paddle down a river, simply look up the route beforehand, so you’re prepared.