BOONE, Iowa—The Boone County Communications Center received a call Saturday afternoon at 2:30 about a couple of kayakers stranded on the Des Moines River near the Kate Shelley High Bridge. The call was directed to the Boone County Sheriff’s Department which facilitated the activation for Boone County Search and Rescue. Search and Rescue was able to successfully locate and recover the kayakers and reported the incident on their Facebook page:
This afternoon at approximately 2:31 PM, Boone County Search & Rescue was dispatched to the Des Moines River for a report of two stranded kayakers approximately one mile south of the Kate Shelley High Bridge.
The first responding Search & Rescue unit was enroute by 2:34 PM. Incident Command and Operations were established at the M Avenue boat ramp, and two rescue boats were launched with three personnel on each boat. Search operations were concluded without incident, and all Search & Rescue units were back in service by 3:55 PM.
As a reminder, the Des Moines River is currently moving deceptively fast. Even areas that may appear calm can have strong current, changing water conditions, and large debris moving through the channel.
Please use caution when recreating on the river:
Wear a properly fitted life jacket.
Check river conditions before launching.
Stay alert for floating debris and strainers.
Avoid river conditions that exceed your ability, experience, or equipment. When in doubt, consider floating with an experienced local outfitter or provider who is familiar with current river conditions.
We are grateful for a safe outcome today.
(Contributed information and photos, Boone County Search and Rescue)
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