Every time Park Ranger Susie Kaspar heads out on the Upper Delaware River, safety comes first.
"It is a beautiful river, great for trout fishing, great for fishing in general," said Susie Kaspar, a park ranger for the National Park Service at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.
People heading out on the water also take in some incredible scenery like bald eagles that nest along the river's banks.
"Having the bald eagles on the river when they fly over is just one of the best parts of my job," said Kaspar.
What You Need To Know
- Park Rangers from the National Park Service at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River want visitors to wear life jackets at all times when boating or swimming
- Over 70 people have drowned on the Upper Delaware river since 1980
- Park rangers also suggest staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen and bringing adequate layers of clothing
But despite all the beauty, there are hidden dangers in the river for the quarter of a million boaters and swimmers that visit every summer.
"It’s a lot of people all at once, and unfortunately, the river, as you can see around us, looks very calm and placid in some places, but that doesn’t always mean that there’s not a strong current," said Kaspar.
Since 1980, there's been 74 drownings on the Upper Delaware River, and Kaspar said most are a result of people boating and swimming without wearing a life jacket.
"A lot of people try to go in and try to swim across the river because they know how to swim, but the river current is just too strong, and it can fatigue even the best of swimmers," said Kaspar.
That’s why he said it's important to wear a life jacket even when wading or swimming. Life jackets are required at all times when boating, and park rangers will fine visitors if they are caught without one.
"You have maybe five, then 15 people in your group, and somebody jumps in, maybe they know how to swim, and all of a sudden somebody's missing," said Kaspar. "When you're out with friends and your family make sure you're keeping an eye out for others I can't tell you how many incidents we've had on the river where somebody has either fallen or jumped off a raft and things just happen and they don’t ever resurface."
If you do see someone struggling in the water call 911 immediately. Kaspar said water rescues can be challenging, and there’s only a limited amount of time to save a life.
She said wearing a life jacket at all times, staying hydrated and knowing your limits are easy ways to stay safe and have fun all summer long.