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Popular Swimming Area At Capitol Reef National Park Closed Due To Dangerous Conditions

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Capitol Reef officials have closed the Fremont Falls area to swimming due to the dangerous conditions created by this year's tumultuous runoff. Julie Trevelyan photo.

A popular swimming hole in Capitol Reef National Park has been closed for the rest of the summer due to torrential runoff that has created extremely dangerous conditions for swimmers.

Fremont Falls, located about six miles east of the park's visitor center on Highway 24, has witnessed three-near fatalities already this summer, according to park officials. As a result, several area agencies, as well as the Capitol Reef superintendent and the Wayne County (Utah) sheriff, have deemed the falls and their pool too great of a risk to public safety to remain open to swimming.

Created in 1962 by diverting the Fremont River from its natural bed, the original Fremont Falls stretched out approximately 100 feet wide as a thin skiff of water flowing over an underlying sandstone rock formation.

But after decades of erosion caused by natural water action, the Fremont Falls of today channels rapidly through a markedly narrower crevice. As with many waterfalls, the sections immediately above and below the fall itself pose serious threats to swimmers due to the strength of the water's pull.

Three recent near drownings -- on June 20 and July 15 -- prompted the official closure of the falls. Two of the victims were children, and one an adult who jumped in to save one of the children. None of three was breathing, nor did they have a pulse, upon being removed from the water. They were flown to hospitals in northern Utah and, somehow, all three survived with no apparent lasting effects.

“While we certainly want to provide an enjoyable visitor experience in the park, our highest responsibility is to ensure a safe visitor experience," says Capitol Reef Superintendent Al Hendricks. "The three recent near-drownings make it clear that there are serious, life-threatening conditions present at the waterfall for even strong swimmers.”

The extended closure will be lifted when the weather is too cold for swimming. Looking down the road, park officials are looking to reroute the river back to its original streambed next year.

Comments

Roma I'm not sure who you're directing those comments to. If you refering to me, you do know how I am. That is why I'm not putting my name. The last thing I need is for my neighbors to start harassing me for supporting the park in this decision.


Dear Local Resident I'm really sorry you feel this way.  I like and even love a lot of people that don't think the same way I do.  What you are saying is you don't like me because I think different from you???? I feel sorry for you!!!!


Let's get back to the REAL reason this issue came about.  Because there are a few and there seems to be tangent after tangent going on.
1 - It has been Al Hendricks goal to move the Fremont River to go around the Ox Bow since the day he came to the park.  At a Tax Payer cost of MILLIONS of Dollars.  Millions of Dollars no matter what account people say it's coming from.."WE THE PEOPLE OF THE USA DO NOT HAVE"  Remember " WE THE PEOPLE ARE BROKE"  This area of Hwy 24 was also just this summer repaved.
2 - The Orchid that someone mentioned that has not been seen in the last 10-15 years IS NOT AND WAS NOT AND HAS NEVER BEEN NATIVE TO THIS AREA OF UTAH.  How do I know this you ask??? Well, My Father, Grandfather and Uncle all employees of the Capital Reef National Monument at the time were there when people PLANTED IT THERE!!!!  Something similar to the Buffalo on the Henry Mtns.  Are they Native to this are are UTAH?? NO they were Planted there by the Federal Gov.  THEY ARE NOT NATIVE...  EITHER IS THAT ORCHID OR THE FROG.
3 - The lies that have been told or maybe a nicer way to put this.  The Error in words that Rangers have spoken to tourist and natives all throughout the Park, but at the Waterfall Continuely.  I personally have heard 2/4 different stories of places in the park by different Rangers... UMMM  What ones are true???   I have Family Histories that tell the EXACT things that happened in the Captial Reef area and Fruita during the 60's and early 70's.  The Park DOES NOT want these things told to the general public and tourist because basicly "They aren't NICE".  It shows how the Federal Gov. Forced at all expense to rid the area of People that settled, planted, made livings in this area.
4 - There have been times when Al Hendricks has spoken in Written word and then been questioned on the validity of the statements.  The truth was then brought up and the articles suddenly changed to the ACTUAL truth of the matter.
ALL OF THESE REASONS ARE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE CLOSING OF THE WATERFALL.  Lady Ranger DOES have the ability as do I to research and find the answers to the questions I asked.  Broken, ankles, legs, arms, wrists happen ALL OVER the park on MANY trails(man made) throughout the park every year.  So if this is the reason for the closing of the falls then those "MAN MADE" trails should also be closed.  If it's good for one MAN MADE area isn't it good for ALL??  That seems to be the theme of the good ole' USA these days. 
So lets get back to the REAL reason this issue was brought to EVERYONE's attention.  THE COST OF TAX PAYER MONEY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE, THE 1/2 TRUTHS AND OUTRIGHT LIES THAT HAVE BEEN TOLD, AND AGENDAS THAT WANT TO BE MET BY RETIREMENT TIME.  THESE ARE THE TRUE REASONS FOR STARTING THIS ISSUES.   THE BENEFIT..... THE WATERFALL SHOULD REMAIN OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC TO USE AND ENJOY BECAUSE THEIR IS NO REASON FOR IT NOT TO BE!!!


Taralyn,
You brought up something important in point 1, but I think you're incorrect. 
"We the people" aren't broke...we're just wasting our money and other resources on two oil wars, tax breaks for the wealthiest corporations in the world, subsidised energy extraction on public land, etc.  We have plenty of resources to devote towards re-establishing damaged ecosystems (which would also create useful jobs), its just not what we've priotitized. 
Your other points are much more interesting (to me).  I just don't think it makes sense to rant about the relatively minor costs associated with ecosystem restoration (which I understand that for other reasons, in this particualr case, you don't think is justified) when we finance exponentially more costly and destructive activities without question.


The interesting thing about re-establishing damaged ecosystems is that Nature on it's own takes away and give to our ecosystems.  I do not condone lying about Plants, animals, trails, accidents just to provide ammunition for ones own cause.  That has been my biggest complaint other than the money.  And we could go round and round about our country and the money.. We all know that our Country has no more money to spread around.  Where thoses in power have chosen to spend it we could debate forever, for I have a feeling that is something you and I would never agree on and I respect that.  But don't tell me you want to do something to save a flower that is native to an area or ecosystem, that I know for a fact IS NOT NATIVE and know for a fact WHEN and WHERE it was planted.  And in order to save "said native plant" it could cost millions of dollars.  I don't agree with that line of thinking...


I got a letter from the Park letting me know that the waterfall as of Oct. 24 is now open so you can walk down and take nice, beautiful pictures of the waterfall. I hope that we can swim there next year.

Have a great winter, I hope we don't have any accidents on the road or in the park.


I know Torrey is no bustling metropolis, but there has got to be more to do in the summer than swim in this contaminated waterfall.
Are most locals fired up about this or just this one person?


Let me see if I have this figured out? The Park doesn't care about the waterfall.  They just want to spend millions of tax dollars to put in 2 bridges so they can put the river back in the only place in the river that man hasn't changed.  However the river hasn't been there for 50 years???
The people that Roma has talked to don't want to spend millions.  They just want to have the waterfall so they can have fun?  Is that about it!!!


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