It’s that time of year again. The days are growing shorter, and colder. By this time of the year many paddlers have tucked their boats cozily away for the winter… but not everyone.
For the intrepid few willing to brave the elements, boating opportunities abound in the colder months. Many streams and rivers without enough water for boating in the summer swell during the colder parts of the year to reveal new adventures, challenges, and some very serious risks. Cold-season boating can be extremely thrilling but is also far more dangerous than in the warmer months of summer. It requires special training, equipment, and planning to be safely enjoyed. Cold temperatures, inclement weather, high water flows, hazardous debris, and little available help in the event of an emergency all matter when cold water boating. But, even with the dangers, if taken seriously and done properly it can be a very fun and rewarding activity.
It is always your responsibility to know your abilities and be prepared for anything that can happen on the water. And as always, wear a life jacket.
The Cold:
The Danger:
Cold water and air temperature are normal conditions for winter boating and the perfect equation for developing hypothermia. This is a serious medical condition where the human body loses heat at a faster rate than it can generate it leading to a dangerous drop in core temperature. In cold water, body heat loss can be so rapid that serious hypothermia and disorientation occur in as fast as 10 minutes. Symptoms begin with shivering as the body attempts to warm itself through movement, then quickly progress to disorientation, impaired judgment, and if untreated, to unconsciousness and death. Not only is hypothermia dangerous on its own, but combined with water activities, greatly increases the risk of drowning.
The Fix:
To prevent hypothermia in cold water paddling the use of special environmental protection is necessary. This means, at a minimum, the use of a cold water-rated wetsuit and a waterproof shell, such as a purpose-made paddling top or light rain jacket. Wetsuits help retain heat in the water but when wet and exposed to the wind they are not as effective, therefore they need to be paired with a top that shields them from the wind when not in the water. A synthetic fleece jacket can be also added between the top and wetsuit to increase warmth when not in the water.
High Water and Debris:
The Danger:
While not a huge hazard on static bodies of water like lakes, high water flows can have dramatic effects on rivers and streams. A familiar stream in the summer can be completely different at a higher flow. As the water rises, its speed increases and structures become submerged compared to what was visible at lower flows. This can create stronger hydraulics and larger waves as well as entire rapids that were not there before.
The Fix:
Paying close attention to conditions is very important in winter boating. Not only do water flows increase, but they also fluctuate more rapidly. So, before each trip on the day you intend to boat, check the flow of the section or run. Most navigable streams in Oregon have river gauges placed and reported by NOAA/National Weather Service River Forecast Center. Select the river and gauge profile closest to the section you plan to run. If you are not sure, consult the Boat Oregon Online Map to get a better idea. Flow is usually listed in a CFS value meaning cubic feet per second. Sometimes gauge height is also used which is a figure given in feet but this is becoming less common. Once you know the flow volume, the challenge of interpreting it. This means having personal knowledge or consulting a guidebook or knowledgeable person on the section of water at the given flow you are interested in. It is always best to go with somebody who has done it before. If nobody has information about the section during the same flow conditions, the trip should be considered exploratory and potentially unsafe.
The Boat Oregon Online Map also has a feature with reported river obstructions under the safety tab where known debris hazards are marked on the map with a picture and description. There’s also a stand-alone Obstructions Map which is an excellent tool for being aware of known “strainer” locations. Practice your skills and always remain vigilant. Assume there are other unreported or new obstructions. An app is available on the Obstructions Map page called the “BORT” (Boating Obstruction Reporting Tool). Scroll down below the map for the User’s Guide and QR code to download the application. This tool allows boaters to report obstructions they find. It’s boaters helping boaters! In addition, it is a good idea to assume that high winds will make debris hazards worse, so boating during or following a major windstorm is not advised. Gather all the information possible prior to a trip.
Fewer opportunities to be helped:
The Danger:
In addition to the hazards already listed, there are almost always fewer people on the river when it’s cold, and sometimes you’re all alone. This means help is unlikely in the event of an emergency or accident. Boaters in this situation must be prepared to deal with situations on their own. Even when help is available, rescue is often more difficult due to challenging conditions, and the timeline for rescue becomes far more critical with cold temperatures and shorter days. Communication devices can help but even satellite communicators don’t always work in river canyons and options for moving to find a signal may be limited. Because of this, cold water paddlers should always assume they will need to self-rescue.
The Fix:
Paddling alone increases risk at any time of the year but because of the special circumstances inherent to winter paddling it should be considered excessively dangerous. Having even one other person present to assist in the event of an emergency greatly increases safety. So, the best way to compensate for the lack of available help is to paddle with a buddy or friends! Include people with training and skills sufficient for the chosen section or run. There are many local kayaking, rafting, and paddleboarding groups that go on cold water trips and joining them is a great way to learn and benefit from the experience and support of others. Many can be found on social media, including the Oregon Whitewater Association, SUP PDX, Stand Up Portland, PNW whitewater, and many others. Trips are also available through local paddle shops, university outdoor programs, and outfitter guides.
If you decide to try out paddling in the colder part of the year, there are several ways to do so safely and enjoy it as a lifelong activity. Paddling offers ways to challenge yourself in learning and skill-building, become a part of a larger community of advanced boaters, connect with the water in new ways, and go on some cool trips. But it will always be your responsibility to know your ability level, stay within it, and be properly prepared for the challenges you may encounter on the water.
Boat smart, boat safe, and keep boating my friends.
Boat Oregon 