State: Use common sense at swimming holes

Recent heavy rainfall has created potentially dangerous conditions along streams and small rivers in the Mad River and Huntington River watersheds, especially at Huntington Gorge, warned the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security in a news release Aug. 17. With sunshine and seasonably warm temperatures expected to continue by the National Weather Service, Vermonters are strongly urged to exercise caution and avoid fast-moving, rain-swollen waterways.
Vermont’s popular swimming holes, rivers and streams offer some of summer’s best recreation. However, these areas can become unpredictable, dangerous and sometimes deadly in the days following storms and flash flooding.
According to the Department of Health, nearly 100 drowning deaths in Vermont have occurred in natural settings such as lakes and rivers since 1985, including at six popular swimming holes. The most dangerous places have been Huntington Gorge (16 deaths) and Cobb Brook in Jamaica (12 deaths). Also of concern are the Bolton Potholes, Dog’s Head Falls in Johnson, New Haven River in Bristol, Twin Falls on the Saxtons River in Westminster, and Hamilton Falls in Jamaica.
National Weather Service and Vermont public health and safety officials encourage everyone to monitor the latest forecasts and take common sense steps to avoid a potential tragedy.
Be responsible, use good judgement, and avoid swift moving water.