This year Pringle Falls has claimed 2 lives in 2 separate incidents. Both apparent accidents where the boater did not know or understand the dangers ahead. Pringle Falls to many seem like a great white water trip. However, it is a fall - although not high it is a water fall. I am not sure of the distance but it is spread out for a long stretch of the Big Deschutes River.
I can remember one of my first boating excursions on the Big Deschutes River coming up to the warning signs and knowing that we had to turn around and go back upstream.
The latest casualty brought not only the loss of the canoeist but a dangerous recovery of the boat and body. This fall when Wickiup Dam quits letting so much water out of the reservoir the log jam will be removed. The logs will remain in the river along the sides to create the natural habitat for the fish and other wildlife but it will not go from side to side.
This will not make traveling this section of the river any safer, it is hoped that it will make recovery and rescue safer. For more information read Two Drowning Deaths Prompt Log Jam Removal.
Well, I guess I won't be doing much canoeing down there. :) I hope everyone heeds the warnings to stay safe.