Originally published May 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 21, 2008 at 5:47 PM

Boaters warned to stay off Washington's rivers

Boaters are warned to stay off Washington's rivers because of dangerously high, fast and cold flows.

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Boaters are being warned to stay out of Washington's rivers because they're running dangerously high and fast after recent high temperatures created fast snowmelt.

"The rivers are swollen right now and near flood stage," said Mark Kenny, boating law enforcement coordinator for Washington State Parks. "They're swift, cold and unforgiving. Only very experienced river runners can navigate them, however, all people should stay out of rivers at this time because the danger is so great," said Kenny in a statement issued today.

The water is moving very fast, and boaters may find themselves unexpectedly falling into water so cold that it quickly numbs reactions and makes self-rescue extremely difficult, said Kenny.

The King County Sheriff's Office conducted 11 rescues on Saturday alone, said Kenney, and the sheriff's office and other local authorities may take additional steps — including closing river access — to keep people out of rivers.

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