After river rescues, Cannon River paddlers advised to use caution

Downed trees in the river are hidden by high water.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
May 27, 2024 at 12:35AM
High water in the Cannon River is hiding tree branches. The same spot in the river is shown in March 2024, left, and in May 2024, right. (Rice County Sheriff's Office)

High water on the Cannon River is hiding branches and downed trees that could entangle kayakers and canoeists, Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas warned Sunday.

Underwater branches and downed trees were part of the reason nine people had to be rescued after two canoes and a kayak capsized Saturday on the Cannon River.

Three adults and six children were paddling from Two Rivers Park in Faribault toward Northfield when their boats hit trees underwater, according to the Rice County Sheriff’s Office. Two canoes tipped, dumping two adults and two children into the water. Another child fell into the river from a kayak while trying to help the people in the water.

Deputies found the paddlers hanging onto tree branches in the fast-moving water and fished them out. No one was hurt.

Thomas warned that downed trees have been in the Cannon River since tornadoes tore through the area in 2018, and they are not always visible from the surface.

about the writer

about the writer

Josie Albertson-Grove

Reporter

Josie Albertson-Grove covers politics and government for the Star Tribune.

See More

More from Local

card image
card image