NEWS RELEASES
NPS Warns of High Water At Zion After Near Drowning Incident
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through The National Park Service's website.
SPRINGDALE, Utah – The National Park Service (NPS) at Zion National Park has issued a warning that water levels in the park’s Virgin River remain at dangerous levels following a near drowning last week. A 12-year-old boy, wading near the edge of the water near the Temple of Sinawava rock formation, was swept away by the current. His mother and another woman went after the boy, managing to get him to a rock. All three were rescued by a Search and Rescue team which performed a swift water rescue, aided by bystanders.
The Virgin River, including the popular Narrows rock formation, has been closed since April 1 due to rising waters from snowmelt. These closures usually only last a month, but this year’s heavy precipitation made it necessary to extend the closure. Rangers warn that the swift-flowing water is powerful enough to sweep a visitor off their feet and into the strong current. “This incident highlights the need for personal attention to safety around stream courses throughout the region under high snowmelt conditions,” Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said in a press release, adding that the river will remain closed until the river level, currently at 250 cubic feet per second (cfs), comes down to 150 cfs for a full day. He estimates that this will take a couple of weeks.
Visitors can check the current river flow at the USGS water data website and on the Zion NPS website.