Poudre Fire Rescues Rafters from River Over the Weekend

Rescue crews responded to a swiftwater call in the Poudre River Saturday morning, Poudre Fire Authority said. According to a news release, two rafters were stranded around 10 a.m., about a mile and a half up the canyon on HWY 14. 

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Poudre Fire Authority said that the raft was partially overturned in the 'Mad Dog Rapid' area. Three other people had attempted to help, and made it back to shore safely, however the two people with the overturned raft required rescue. Fortunately, crews were able to get both individuals out of the river safety, using a rope system.

'While it may seem early for a water rescue, the river is cold and moving fast,' Poudre Fire Authority said. 'Thankfully, this rescue was successful, and all parties were safe, but it is an important reminder of the power and unpredictability of the river.'

The news release can be read in full here.

• According to the Coloradoan, there were 20 deaths in the Poudre River between 1997 and 2017.
• In 2019 alone, Poudre Fire Authority conducted 21 water rescues, including one death, by July 4
• In just the first week of June of 2020, Poudre Fire Authority did three water rescues in the Poudre River
• Downtown Fort Collins now has a whitewater park that provides safe access to the river, and it's free

It's finally starting to warm up in Northern Colorado, and snow in the mountains is starting to fill our rivers, so if you want to safely enjoy the rapids, see five places near Fort Collins to go river rafting here.