Spring runoff spurs warnings along Rio Grande

Waters ‘running fast and deep’

First responders are warning residents about current conditions in the Rio Grande — this after rescuers jumped into action after receiving a report that a kayaker had fallen off his watercraft and went missing on Sunday.

“Swift water rescue teams and fire personnel from Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, Corrales, and Bernalillo County set up to search the area for the missing person,” Rio Rancho Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Paul Bearce said in a news release.

Kayak touring companies in the area had accounted for all of their clients, he said, so it was determined the boater was not with one of the businesses.

“During the search, a canoe carrying two other boaters capsized near Corrales, sending the two occupants into the water,” Bearce said.

All three people were found safe — they had selfextricated from the water — following an approximately 90-minute search, he said. The kayak that capsized was recovered by members of the Rio Grande Basin Heavy Technical Rescue Team. River touring company staff went after the company-owned canoe downstream.

“With the spring snow melt in progress, the waters of the Rio Grande are running fast and deep,” Bearce said. “Swift water rescue technicians from area fire departments train regularly for these types of incidents, however, the fast currents and cold water of the Rio Grande can be overwhelming to a swimmer or boater and cause them to be swept downstream, caught by vegetation along the bank, or by debris under the water.”

Boaters are reminded to notify authorities as soon as possible if they are involved in an incident on the river, the news release says. This is important to help rescuers to account for anyone reported to be a potential victim.