River safety reminder: It's still cold

The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone that, in and around Boundary County, the warmer weather and precipitation has created a dangerous environment on and around our rivers and tributaries.

The Kootenai River has risen significantly creating high, fast water with a large amount of debris floating downstream from Montana. The water temperature is currently sitting at about 45 degrees.

The Moyie River and Deep Creek are also running high and fast with cold water.

With the rivers and streams rising up onto the banks, it has created strainers and pools that can be hazardous to recreational boaters and paddle sport goers. If you must be out on our waters, the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office strongly recommends that you wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while on the water or even on the banks of the Moyie and Kootenai River. A float plan for your day on the water is also highly recommended. You can file your float plan with the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.

If you find yourself out of your vessel or have fallen into the water, keep calm. It takes about one minute to control your breathing due to the shock of extreme cold water. If you find yourself in the water for more than 10 min., your motor skills will start to fail. Find a way to dry land. Hypothermia can set in within 30 minutes.