2 drownings at Castlewood

[Al Agnew]

That section of the Meramec has always had the reputation of being very dangerous, but as others have said, it's not the river, it's the people using it.  I guarantee you the Current at Van Buren and below is a more dangerous river as far as strong current and obstructions.  It flows at least as much water if not more and is faster.  But you can see the drop-offs (usually) on the much clearer Current, and if you're not a good swimmer you'll probably avoid them.  There is no current or undertow on the Meramec at that level that an intelligent and prudent swimmer, good or not, couldn't avoid, or get out of.  It's not like an ocean current on the beach.  But there are a whole lot of so-called swimmers using the lower Meramec that are neither intelligent about it, prudent about it, or good.  Hence the drownings. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

The flow is barely moving there it's so low.  I think Coldwater is right.  If you read all of the articles most who drown don't know how to swim.  Simple as that.

[fishinwrench]

Most people who "don't know how to swim" will learn how to real quick when the river reaper is on their heels.    I had a girlfriend once that learned that way, and then my ex father in-law who had always claimed that his body didn't have natural bouyancy and if he tried to swim he would just sink like a rock.  Well he was putting a tarp over a boat and fell in, nobody was there to help him, and at 66 years old he suddenly learned how to swim.

[moguy1973]

There was a situation at Meramec Caverns a couple years ago when I floated from the State Park to Sand Ford.  A couple of kids were wade fishing just below the Caverns and they were out on a point of a shoal and one of the kids got out too far where the gravel was soft and couldn't get back to the shore.  He didn't want to let go of his rod and couldn't swim real well with it in his hand and he started to go under.  Had to paddle over quickly so he could grab onto my kayak so I could get him over to the bank.  Could have been bad as the water was pretty swift right there.

[Smalliebigs]

If you can’t swim and go get in the river you will probably drown, it’s just that simple.... why is it always Black people drowning there??

 

My family swims very good and we all learned to swim very good at a young age. My 8 year old swims like a fish, the bummer is the swim meets are an all day deal wow do they burn up some time but, she is a very good swimmer. We were just on vacation and she and I treaded water  together out in our lake and had a little contest to see who could stay out the longest hahahahaha I gave up after about 40 mins and left her out there swimming around the cove with her cousins for another 20 mins or so. People need to learn how to swim if they are going to go out in lakes and rivers or pools... sounds pretty stupid even saying it.

[tjm]

Swimming like golf and hockey are upper middle class pursuits that many blacks don't regularly have access to?  ( I read that some where in answer to a question about  no colored swimmers at the Olympics)  For example you have your own lake. ..

[fishinwrench]

5 hours ago, tjm said:

Swimming like golf and hockey are upper middle class pursuits that many blacks don't regularly have access to?  ( I read that some where in answer to a question about  no colored swimmers at the Olympics)  For example you have your own lake. ..

That's the white man's answer, hu?  I think the real reason is because when a white man sees a black man in a pair of tight trunks it makes him wanna cry (and blindfold his wife).

[Flysmallie]

That's it. The Meramec River is racist. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Yeah stay away.  Too dangerous, racist, dirty and not to mention all the water moccasins. 

[Smalliebigs]

8 hours ago, tjm said:

Swimming like golf and hockey are upper middle class pursuits that many blacks don't regularly have access to?  ( I read that some where in answer to a question about  no colored swimmers at the Olympics)  For example you have your own lake. ..

HAHAHAHAHA....I think you are wrong there.....Simone Manuel..... Cullen Jones.

We only own a house on a lake but, we value knowing how to swim because my family is in a river or a lake almost every weekend.

 

  Also as Pete said stay the hell away from the Meramec it is very dangerous with strainers around every corner, the current is ferocious and it is racist at it's core.