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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 31, 2017)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 Page A-3 Authorities warn of fast water after death on Illinois Annette McGee Rasch IVN Senior Contributing Writer Hot weather drives people to the water - but after one of the wettest and snowiest winters in decades, rivers throughout the Pacific Northwest are running high and cold, and these conditions have contributed to several water-related fatalities in recent weeks. In one local incident May 18, Tina Behneke, 20, was “knocked off balance and swept away” while attempting to cross the Illinois River at Store Gulch, outside of Selma, according to Deputy Cory Krauss with Josephine County (JoCo) Search and Rescue. Behneke’s two companions had tried to save her, but couldn’t reach her in time. Krauss said she’d entered the river at a spot where people normally wade across, “but with these conditions, the current was just too strong and too fast.” Behneke, from Medford, remained missing for 10 days until found by a family friend Sunday, 100 yards downstream from McCaleb’s Ranch. “If you’re going to recreate around the water, just be aware that what you would normally anticipate the water to be like this time of year, it’s going to be faster and it’s going to be colder,” Krauss said. “With the swiftness of the water, it might look nice and calm and inviting, but you can’t really tell how quickly it’s moving and you shouldn’t underestimate the current and what it can do to you.” Mindful caution on the Illinois River is warranted for at least several more weeks. Krauss said “people should look at the river carefully before they choose to get in it, and if they do get in, they should know their limitations, wear personal floatation devices and be aware of their surroundings. Also, small children do not have the knowledge and situational awareness that adults should have, so be extra cautious and make sure they’re in some kind of floatation device, and preferably with a tether - so you have a way of quickly retrieving them.” Animal advocates also remind people that puppies and young dogs can easily get in trouble in fast water - and that all animals rely on us for their safekeeping. “Throughout the region, we have the situation right now where all our lakes and water reservoirs are full. So all that cold snow melt from the mountains is going current is very strong. Arms and legs jumping from a bridge into the straight into the rivers,” said Sven quickly cramp with exertion in cold North Umpqua River; and a 16- Nelaimischkies, meteorologist with water, especially when the outside year-old boy who was swept off a National Weather Service. “This temperatures are hot. This scenario is waterfall on the Snoqualmie River in situation should last a few more how many people drown.” Washington state. weeks at least, and then gradually Other incidents include decline.” a man who went missing after Nelaimischkies went on to explain that “there’s all sorts of problems with cold water. You lose control of your extremities. With the colder temps, the nerve impulses just don’t flow down your arm as well, so that can make it hard to hold onto a log, branch or flotation device. Also, with the flows that we’ve had over the winter, debris could have clumped up and can cause entrapment situations.” Ashley Massey, spokeswoman for the Oregon Marine Board, describes Pacific Northwest river conditions as a “perfect storm” that should have everyone on “high alert as additional snowmelt continues to enter the river systems.” She wants boaters to exercise additional caution and also said those jumping into a swimming holes are likely to find more treacherous conditions than normal. (Photo by Laura Mancuso, Illinois Valley News) “The water temperature is The swinging bridge near the McCaleb’s Ranch where Behneke’s frigid — 50 degrees or below in body was found by a family friend and recovered by JoCo Search many areas,” Massey said. “The and Rescue. KERBY with Lisa Sherier Wednesdays $5 Drop-in 6:15-7:15 pM at Healthy U 535 E river St. Art’s Red ELLIPSE Garter Homestyle DINNER SPECIALS F r i d a y, J u n e 2 @ 5:30 Wednesdays@ 9 p.m. GUPPY Friday, June 2 @ 9 p.m Every Wednesday from Taylor’s Country Store Open MIC Night 6 - 8 p.m. J Barley Fridays @ 6 p.m. The G SPOT RIPPLE EFFECT Friday, June 2 7-10 PM Saturday the 3rd @ 6 p.m. Saturday Pool Tourney @ 7 Mon - Sat 5-9 PM in Lounge KARAOKE KARAOKE w/ Steve - OH Free pool on Sundays Sportsman Tavern Hump day Karoke w/ Jammer Dave Outdoor Stage 8 - midnight Open Mic w/ B Thurdsays @ 7 EAT @ McGrew’s!
