Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 18 18 HAZARDS Know your skill level. Water itself is a hazard, but moving water even more so. You must know how to maneuver your boat, where to go, and what to avoid. Practice on slow and fl at water, possibly a nearby lake or pond, then cautiously move up to a current. Many retail gear shops, clubs and organizations, and universities will have classes in which you can learn from experienced folks. Multiple braided channels. Keep your party visible at all times. Scout your put-in and take-out sites. Know your beginning and ending landmarks. Spring and early summer can be the most hazardous times due to melting snow and spring rain. Cold and high water, sudden changes in weather, large waves, fl oating debris, strong and fast currents can all be very dangerous. If you are a beginner, consider going mid-to- late summer and with experienced people. Obstacles—fl ood debris, down trees, logjams, bridge abutments, fence materials, emergent or submerged rocks and boulders. Always take (this is a partial list, so consider where you are going): Once you put on the river, you are committed, so be prepared. Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person (must be worn by children 12 years old and under). First aid kit Spare paddle/oar Rain suit/dry clothes/stable river footwear Brimmed hat Sunscreen/sunglasses/lip balm Survival kit – fi re starter, noisemaker (whistle), "space blanket," cloth tape, knife River maps/pencil and paper to collect your own notes for future reference Adequate food/water Dry storage bags or boxes BEFORE YOU GO Check some easy sources of information U. S. GEOLOGIC SURVEY REAL TIME DATA FOR MONTANA STREAMFLOW www.waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=fl ow—provides infor- mation regarding the amount of water in the river and can indicate the fl ood stages of the waterway. Start thinking in terms of "cubic feet per second" (cfs) and document your travel times, safety issues, obstacles, and experiences based on that fl ow. GOOGLE EARTH can be an easy way to view the put in and take out points and can give you a rough idea of obstacles and channel variation at the time of the image. MONTANA FISH WILDLIFE AND PARKS—Our State agency which manages many of our Fishing Access Sites (FAS) has information on-line and in publica- tions. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Books: Paddling Montana by Hank and Carol Fischer Floating Montana by Curt Thompson SAFETY FIRST! WATER ITSELF IS A HAZARD, BUT MOVING WATER EVEN MORE SO. 4

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