River Safety

Know Before You Go

• Current River Levels
• Current Park Alerts and Updates
• Park Regulations
• Check the Weather

Water is a powerful force of nature, and its inherent risks should always be respected. Daddy’s Creek, the Obed River, Clear Creek, and the Emory River are free-flowing whitewater streams where water levels, streamflow, and conditions can change quickly with weather and rainfall.

Before heading to the river, be aware of current river levels, weather conditions, park alerts, and applicable regulations. Conditions can vary from day to day and even during a trip. Visitors are responsible for understanding current conditions and making decisions that match their skills, experience, and equipment.

 

Communications

• Cell phone service is not reliable in this area. Satellite-based communications methods phones are recommended for emergency situations.
• Have an emergency contact: tell someone your plan and general location (route, put-in, take-out, and expected return time) before you start a river trip.

Key Hazards at Obed

• Rapidly changing water levels/flash floods.
• Undercut rocks, sieves, and strainers.
• Foot entrapment.
• Hydraulics (“holes”), recirculating currents can hold a person underwater.
• Cold water and hypothermia risk (even on warmer days).
• Slippery rock surfaces.
• Remoteness (Limited/slow rescue access in gorges).

 

Paddlers getting ready.

NPS Photo

Paddling Safety

• Ensure you’re up to date on the necessary skills for whitewater and go with a group.
• Know your route, put-in and take-out locations before launching.
• Appropriate equipment including a lifejacket intended for whitewater use, a whitewater helmet, a throw rope, a spare paddle and a wetsuit or drysuit are all considered essential. The boat that you are paddling must be designed for whitewater.
• All sections of the park's streams feature potentially lethal hazards and require extensive whitewater paddling experience.

Swimming and Wading Safety

• Swim at your own risk; there are no lifeguards in the park.
• Wear a personal flotation device if you’re in moving water.
• Wear closed-toe footwear and step carefully into and out of the water.

Lightning and Severe Weather

• When you hear thunder, get out of the water immediately and seek the nearest shelter.
• Stream flow can change rapidly during storms, and flash floods are possible. Check the weather and plan accordingly.

 

Safety Reminder

Moving water is powerful and conditions can change rapidly. Outdoor recreation always carries risks, but risk can be reduced with training, awareness, and good decision-making.