Crime & Safety

Farmington River Is Currently 'Unsafe' for 'Water Activities,' Police Say

With summer sun and warm weather the past two days, it might be tempting to go swimming, boating or tubing in the Farmington River.

But Farmington police said Wednesday and reiterated Thursday that the river conditions are too dangerous for anyone, even emergency rescue boats, to be on the water. 

"The river right now is completely unsafe for any type of water activities. There's swelling," Farmington police Lt. Marshall Porter said. "The rapids are very dangerous. For now and for the foreseeable future, people need to stay off the river."
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Officials are still searching for Nasir Alam, 25, of East Hartford, who was pulled into strong rapids on the Farmington River late Tuesday afternoon during a period of flash floods following a sudden rain storm. Six others were thrown from their tubes but rescued, some sustaining minor injuries. A New Hartford woman went missing while tubing near the Satan's Kingdom portion of the river over a week ago is still missing

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection warned Connecticut residents in a statement Thursday about "possible unsafe water conditions in Connecticut’s rivers and streams." Many rivers in the state are higher and moving quicker than usual, the press release said.

“This weekend’s weather forecast is for beautiful weather and we encourage everyone to get out and safely enjoy Connecticut’s outdoors,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen.  “Unfortunately, we have had incidents in recent days where people have been tubing or rafting on a fast-moving river and have gone missing.  The state has experienced heavy rains in recent days, which mean that our rivers and streams are high and running fast, so everyone near the water needs to be extra careful.” 

People should evaluate water conditions before going out in kayaks, canoes or boats in "swollen rivers and streams" because the waters are high, the currents are strong and there may be debris, DEEP officials said. 

DEEP offers these safety tips for water recreation:
  • Wear a life jacket. People under 13 are required by state law to "wear a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin."
  • Don't drink alcohol "while engaging in water-related outdoor activities."
  • Know how to swim before going in the water.
  • Be aware of the water conditions and "know your abilities."
  • "Wear water shoes."
  • Go with other people and avoid rafting alone. Tell someone where you plan on going out on the water and how long you plan on being there.
  • Check the weather forecast before you go.
  • "Supervise children at all all times."
  • Go to a place with "good water quality and safe natural conditions."

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