'Think safety and come prepared': Officials urging caution on waterways

As boaters and rafters gear up for a three-day weekend that some consider the unofficial end of summer, officials are urging caution for possible dangerous conditions on the region’s waterways.

The conditions were created when remnants of Hurricane Ida pounded Western Pennsylvania this week, bringing several inches of rain and causing rivers and streams to rise and debris to fill the waterways. While river levels are beginning to decrease, precautions are being taken to help boaters avoid unsafe situations.

Ohiopyle visitors

“We always ask people to be cautious at all times. But even if you know the river at normal elevations, things change when the water comes up,” said Ken Bisbee, Ohiopyle park manager. “There’s dangerous zones that weren’t dangerous before, just because there’s more water, and it kind of changes where the pools are and where the eddies are and everything.”

By Friday morning, the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle had reached 4.3 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Despite water levels at that location dropping significantly since the river crested at almost 11 feet Thursday morning, rules are in place for outfitter companies that provide guided river tours.

According to Bisbee, rafting companies are allowed to do tours in water levels up to 10 feet. However, if the river is over 4 feet, outfitters are required to put a guide in every boat and rafters are not allowed to paddle their own watercraft. Typically, a guide is placed every four to five boats.

Rental boats are not allowed on the river when levels are over 4 feet, Bisbee said. Privately owned boats are permitted, but park officials will assess operator skill levels at the launch site and discuss the potential hazards.

The river is not restricted to private boat traffic until water levels reach 13 feet, Bisbee said.

Water level forecasts predicted the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle would be at 4 feet by 8 p.m. Friday.

Allegheny County

In Pittsburgh, the National Weather Service was not expected to issue a recreational boater advisory for the holiday weekend. According to meteorologist Lee Hendricks, certain conditions must be met for an advisory to be issued, including specific water levels.

“None of the conditions are really there” to issue an advisory, Hendricks said, noting that river levels are continuing to decrease.

According to the National Weather Service, the Ohio River at Pittsburgh — located near the Point — was at 16.5 feet. Flood stage is 25 feet. The Monongahela at Braddock was at 12 feet with a 22-foot flood stage. The Allegheny at the Sharpsburg Lock was at 11.9 feet with a 21-foot flood stage.

Anthony Darkowski, division chief for Pittsburgh EMS, said the rivers around the city are open to boating this weekend but cautioned there are hazards caused by Ida.

“Many of the flood-control dams are letting out their stored water, which will continue to keep the river flows up,” Darkowski said. “This also causes an increase of floating debris in the water, which can damage the boats and their outdrives.”

Andrew Byrne, spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh district, said little rain is expected over the weekend so the river levels are not expected to rise.

Boating, camping concerns

Across the state, boat access areas regulated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission remain open.

“We suggest that boaters use common sense and follow the warnings presented … when encountering high, fast-moving and muddy water,” spokesman Mike Parker said. “It is not safe to boat on many waters right now, and we would advise people to wait things out for a few days until water levels recede.”

A release from the state Fish and Boat Commission urges boaters to refrain from entering water with low visibility, which can prevent operators from seeing debris such as large rocks and tree limbs. In addition, caution should be used while walking along stream banks, which might be muddy and slippery following the heavy rains.

“While the heavy rains have passed and the sun may be shining, high and muddy water conditions will remain on many rivers, creeks and streams for several days and well into the Labor Day holiday weekend,” said Laurel Anders, director of the PFBC Bureau of Boating.

In addition to dangerous water conditions, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said several state forests and parks were damaged when Ida moved through the region, which could impact activities such as swimming, boating, camping and hiking.

The majority of damaged parks were in the eastern part of the state, aside from Shawnee in Bedford County.

State park alerts, including the closure of rivers and lakes, are posted on the DCNR website.

‘Come prepared’

At Ohiopyle, Bisbee encouraged visitors to be safe, whether they are planning to enjoy the waters of the Youghiogheny or hike on the park’s trails.

“Ohiopyle is a beautiful place to visit, and it’s just a wonderful resource that we have in our backyard. But we’ve got a lot of deep trails and drop-offs and lots of moving white water, which always has a potential to be dangerous. So you always ask people to please be aware of your surroundings,” Bisbee said. “Think safety and come prepared.”