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Are Shallow Rivers Safe?

There are several things you should keep in mind to stay safe when you're close to a river no matter how shallow or deep it is. Thick vegetation, a soft bottom, unpredictable flooding or extreme temperatures can still make a shallow river dangerous. Remember that it only takes a few inches of water to drown.

  1. Vegetation and Foliage

    • Shallow water can be dangerous when obscured by vegetation.

      Thick vegetation can obscure the edge of a stream or river, making it difficult to see how deep or wide it really is. Shallow water tends to have more vegetation and some of it can be dangerous. If you are swimming in shallow water take care that you don't get tangled in any weeds growing underwater. Blue green algae is also more likely to be growing in warm, shallow water and can cause a rash if you touch it or nausea if swallowed.

    Riverbed Consistency and Currents

    • Even shallow water can have a strong enough current to knock a person over and carry them away. A riverbed of slippery rocks or soft, wet mud can make you lose your balance. Wet, slick rocks are a common hazard near shallow streams. You might not be able to see the surface of the riverbed and it can change depth or stability suddenly.

    Floods and Water Levels

    • There are many different things that can cause the water levels of a stream to change quickly and without warning. The spring thaw can be quite dangerous, when not only melting snow causes flash floods but also ice jams and poor drainage in hard, cold soil. A small stream can also swell into a foaming torrent in a matter of minutes due to man-made dams draining spring overflow or heavy spring rains.

    Hypothermia

    • Aerial view of a glacier-fed mountain lake.

      Even a shallow river can cause hypothermia if it's cold enough. Rivers that are fed by glaciers in the high mountains are often cold enough to cause hypothermia within less than a minute. The levels and currents of glacial-fed rivers also fluctuate suddenly. Their changes can be roughly predicted by estimating the amount of glacial-melt that occurs when the sun is at its peak.

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