Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Karen Scullin reporting It's getting much warmer, but there's still a lot of snow on the mountaintops.
That has canyon patrol officers worried about a quick snowmelt that will raise water to dangerous levels in creeks around campgrounds.
The real concern is in Little Cottonwood Canyon, where the rapids are fast and furious. But canyon patrol officers warn campers and anyone venturing near the creeks, to enjoy the beauty from a safe distance.
The sound of the rushing rapids can be hypnotizing.
Watching the wild water, mesmerizing. But beneath the beauty, danger. And most parents seem to be well aware of it.
"Paul Garrett/Parent:DEFINITELY WATCH HER ALL THE TIME. OBVIOUSLY WE WON'T BE GETTING HER TOO CLOSE TO THE WATER TODAY"
Canyon patrol officers say the water in the creeks is rising fast. With so much snow in the spring, and now the sudden and quick shot of hot weather, the high water warnings are out.
"Sgt. Lane Larkin/Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: STAY AWAY FROM THE BANKS, THERE'S NO NEED TO GET IN THE WATER. FISHING IS NOT GOOD WHEN IT'S RUNNING HARD AND HEAVY, AND FOR GOD'S SAKE..DON'T LET KIDS GET NEAR THE WATER"
Many remember the tragic death of little Simon Kofford. Last June, he wandered away from his family campsite in Little Cottonwood Canyon. He apparently got too close to the raging rapids, fell in, and drowned.
"Paul Garrett: IT'S A SCAREY THING. I THINK IT AFFECTED THE WHOLE COMMUNITY LAST YEAR, THAT WAS HORRIBLE."
"Sgt. Lane Larkin: WATER WILL JUST ATTRACT THOSE KIDS A HUNDRED PERCENT. LET 'EM SEE IT FROM A DISTANCE, LET THEM ENJOY IT, BUT PUT 'EM IN YOUR HAND AND NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO DON'T LET THEM GO BY THEMSELVES"
The creeks are higher in Little Cottonwood Canyon than in Big Cottonwood. But in any case, we know getting too close to any rushing water can be unpredictable and dangerous.
