The downed tree could pose a danger to these paddlers.
Strainers & High Water
A dangerous mix for paddlers
By Dave Rigby My brother, John, shouted the simple warning. "Tree!" We back paddled hard and tried to adjust our speed to keep our canoe from being sucked under the grasping branches of the gnarled willow that was stretched across most of the entire creek. Without warning, we were
struck hard from the upstream side by a canoe following much too close.
"Lean at the tree, John!" I yelled as we crashed into the willow. We could feel the water trying desperately to pull us down into the tangle of branches and swirling water. John was young and a weak swimmer. I did not want him in the water.
The other canoe tipped and was sucked under our canoe into the strainer. One of the paddlers disappeared into the dark swirling water in
the tree branches. The other latched onto our canoe and started pulling our upstream gunnel towards the water. "Get off our canoe!" I screamed at him savagely and slammed my paddle hard against our canoe. I did not want my brother in that water. With a look of desperation, the wide–eyed paddler was sucked under our canoe and down into the gnarled branches of the hungry willow.
"Look out!" we heard just as another canoe slammed into us, tipped
and again disappeared under the ominous willow. The branches of the hungry tree also swallowed both paddlers.
John looked back at me clutching the gunnels in terror. Thankfully, he was still leaning toward the tree helping to keep our balance. We tried yelling a warning, but it was too late. Our dad burst around the corner, hit us and swamped. He held on desperately to his new paddle and disappeared into the dark water, as had the others. We were now alone
sitting in the ghostly silence of near darkness. The power of the water continued to pull us savagely at the waiting branches of the old willow. John and I tenuously balanced our boat and slowing, pulled ourselves towards the small opening. Ever so carefully, we turned the canoe downstream and shot passed the hungry old willow.
"We're here!" yelled my dad from shore. He was standing with my five friends still clutching his new paddle. One battered canoe was pulled up
on shore. The other two were lodged solidly under the willow held tightly by the strainer's limbs. Darkness had surrounded us, but we were in easy walking distance of our waiting vehicles. We talked late into the night gathered around the kitchen table. My mom listened intently as we told and retold about how lucky we had been.
That was August of 1969. Heavy, late summer rains had caused the Nippersink of northeastern Illinois to swell up and over its banks. This
past summer, two of my high school soccer players had attempted the Nippersink in flood stage. They had to abandon their canoes in the gnarled branches of a fallen tree: a strainer.
Strainers occur when trees fall into the water and the power of the current flows through their branches rather than around them. They have the capability of pulling a boat into their limbs, grabbing hold of it and its occupants, and keeping them there. They are dangerous. High water makes them worse.
This article is written as a warning. Each year sometime during the spring, summer or even the fall, heavy rains cause local creek waters to flood. In our area, the Nippersink, Des Plaines and Kiswaukee rivers become enticing as they swell over their banks. I receive many calls to borrow our school canoes when the rivers start flooding. Most all are denied. I am not an expert, but as a longtime paddler who has made the mistake of underestimating the power of a river, I offer this advice.
First, each person needs to know his or her limitations. Sounds like Clint Eastwood, but it is true. While it is fun to challenge the water, flooded water running through fallen trees causes dangerous conditions. Flood stage is not the time to practice new skills and techniques.
Actually, the Nippersink is almost boring when it is flooded. Rocks and eddies disappear and all you have to do is sit in the middle and float.
There are no play areas and the water flows fast and smooth. However, it flows through the trees, and there is no shore to make a landing. If a paddler does tip, they can be in real trouble. Tree branches will hold a submerged canoe and slowly crush it with hard–to–imagine power.
Several summers ago, after a time of high water on the Nippersink, the pieces of a broken, yellow fiberglass canoe could be seen suspended in
the branches of a submerged tree. They served as a ghostly reminder of the danger of strainers. Loss of equipment is bad, but people can be entrapped along with their equipment. We always wondered what happened to the owners of that canoe.
Two, know the river you intend to paddle. If it is a new river, do not be too proud to ask for advice. Our Nippersink has many small bridges and obstructions. Several are so low that when water rises, there is not
enough room for a canoe or even a kayak to fit beneath them. Two summers ago, several of my past students pleaded with me to let them borrow our canoes. They had no idea that there were at least three locations where the water was only inches under a bridge. These areas were definitely dangerous if not life threatening. Their parents let me know later how glad they were that I had turned down their requests.
Three, if you do get caught by a strainer, keep calm. Lean to the
downstream side, even though that means leaning towards the tree or obstacle. If in a canoe, make sure you coordinate your moves with each other. There is no hurry. Figure out the best plan of action and then carefully carry it out. Each situation is different, but remain calm.
This past April, after reading Mike Svob's article concerning the Manitowoc River, I loaded up my kayak and traveled to the beautiful area on the shores of Lake Michigan. As Mr. Svob wrote, this is a
"jewel" of a river. The water was high and swift, but still in its banks. I joined two canoes with my kayak and had a great deal of fun playing in the boulder gardens and rapids with them. As we talked, they told me how the week before they had almost drowned.
They had gotten caught in a strainer near the take–out and had been in the water for quite a long time. The previous week, the rescue squad had to help pull two canoers out of the water at the same location. They
pulled out at a take–out considerably upstream of the usual take–out and the strainer.
Having been warned, I continued downstream with caution. One tree lay on the outside of the curve directly in the path of the main current. On the inside, a powerful eddy pulled the water under a second tree. There was a narrow passage in the center between the trees. Guiding my kayak carefully, I could not help but remember the gnarled old willow
on the Nippersink. I was very grateful for their advice. Strainers and high water can be dangerous.
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