Staying safe on Tennessee rivers as outdoor recreation ramps up
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — As summertime approaches, outdoor experts and public safety officials want to make sure all recreators are safe on Tennessee waterways.
'Making sure you're up to date on the forecast and any potential weather scenarios while you're going to be out on the river is pretty crucial,' Dylan Schultz, Operations Manager at Cumberland Kayak and Adventure Company, told News 2.
Recently, the Franklin Police Department (FPD) hung up water safety signs near the Harpeth River with a QR code with tips to stay safe.
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Officials say having ways to cool down from the heat, protect yourself from the sun, and being close enough to shore in case of any thunderstorms is key.
Schultz also encourages kayakers to follow the American Canoe Association's float plan.
'You write down on a piece of paper, whether it's a sticky note or an index card, how many people you have going out on the water, where you guys are going, roughly when you plan it to be back, and you give that to somebody who's on land,' Schultz explained.
Schultz said his company gives beginner kayaking lessons at the beginning of every trip. Those lessons can be a key resource as the FPD says most of their water rescues involve people who are inexperienced.
In a safety video released by the FPD, Garrett Dreessen from the department's Dive and Swift Water Rescue Team said, 'Lately, we've had a lot of rain, making the water levels rise, and then also trees will fall into the river…and people don't know how to go around them. The best way to do that is to paddle to the shore and get out of the river, walk around it, and then get back in.'
A spokesperson for FPD told News 2 the department has conducted numerous rescues of kayakers on the Harpeth River after inclement weather over the past five years.
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FPD recommends always having a way to call 911, such as a waterproof phone or radio, staying hydrated, and wearing a life jacket because even strong swimmers can have trouble in cold, fast-flowing rivers.
Experts also say if you're floating on a larger river like the Cumberland, to watch out for larger vessels and commercial traffic like boats and barges.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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