WEBVTT

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Ah , rivers , scenic , relaxing ,

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and sometimes unsafe . In this case ,

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there's a dangerous lowheaddam ahead ,

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barely visible to Greg , the river

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guide . Luckily , he knows a thing or

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two about lowhead dams and how to stay

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safe around them . Greg knows that when

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it comes to lowhead dams , looks can be

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deceiving . Appearing harmless at the

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water's surface , these underwater

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structures are known as drowning

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machines . As water approaches and

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flows over the dam , it picks up speed ,

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rushing down to create a strong

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recirculating current and foaming water .

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Air gets sucked into the current too ,

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making the water less dense and objects

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less buoyant . That means anything

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caught in the current is often unable

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to float to the surface or escape .

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Feeling the kayak pick up speed and

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hearing the water ahead of him get

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louder , Gregg decides to paddle to the

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bank to check for a lowhead dam . From

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there , he can see if it's safe to keep

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paddling or if he should stop and carry

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his kayak farther downstream , well

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past the lowhead dam and the foaming

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water . When recreating on the river ,

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be aware of lowhead dams . When in

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doubt , get out and scout . To learn

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more about how to stay safe around

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lowhead dams , visit

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NID.SEC.usa .

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Army.mil .