Sand Bar might close

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Story Published: Jul 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2009 at 6:13 PM MDT

By Steven Pope

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ST. ANTHONY - A man recently drowned at the Sand Bar in St. Anthony, and another barely survived.

"It's dangerous! The current is really strong," explained St. Anthony Police Chief Jim Smith.

The St. Anthony City Council and police department have been meeting for several months about possibly closing off the sand bar when the water is high.

"We've got a lot of water pushing down here, you wouldn't know it's that much more compared to the height of the river. Normally during the swim time, there's no water going over that dam," said Smith.

So when Lance Jensen drowned after diving into the river and going over the dam, the city pushed the Sand Bar to next meeting's agenda. But not everybody is so concerned.

"We've been here every summer since I was a baby, grew up every summer here. And we've always felt very comfortable," said Rebecca Knight who visits yearly.

I asked her, "Have you always felt safe here?"

"Oh yeah, swim across to the dam and back, all the time with my kids," said Knight.

The city isn't concerned about locals swimming here. They know about the dangers here including the swift water, and the seemingly invisible dam. Both incidents in June were BYU-Idaho students.

"A couple of years ago I'd go all the way out to the rope, because they had a big rope out there. But now I just stay by, if I jump off the diving board I just stay near the edge,' said Jessica Summer, who swims in the river 2-3 times a week.

It's been proposed to shut down the sand bar when water levels are 25-hundred cubic feet per second, currently they are well above 3-thousand.

"It's been dangerous forever. There's hazards with swimming in a river," said Smith.

If you are going to swim at the Sand Bar, beware the swift current which can quickly take you over the dam. Go with a buddy, last year's drowning was a 14-year-old who swam alone. It's also recommended you wear a flotation device.

The family of the drowned victim just released this statement, "lance was a uniquely remarkable person who touched the lives of countless individuals for good. He will be sorely missed."

Be sure to watch my next segment on water safety next Thursday, where I will do a segment on swimming pools.

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