The dangers of low-head dams in the Willamette River

Low-head dams likely wouldn't catch the attention of a person floating down a river on a paddle board or inner tube. The unassuming structures can have drops as low as 1 foot, appearing as little more than a smooth bump in otherwise calm waters. But the continuous motion of water over the top of the dam creates a dangerous vortex at its base. As recently reported in the Register Guard, the churn can trap swimmers, kayakers and others recreating in the water, earning them the nickname “drowning machines.”

Haleigh Kochanski covers breaking news and public safety for the Register-Guard. She joins us with more details about these dams and the dangers they present.