Kayaker rescued after going over diversion dam

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Just after 12:30 p.m. Sunday, reports came in of a female kayaker stuck under the diversion dam on the west side of the Snake River in Idaho Falls near the Snake River Animal Shelter.

The Fire Department says the victim was kayaking with three other adults when she went over the diversion dam and got stuck. She was able to hold on to some concrete and keep from going under the water.

The three other kayakers got out of the water without injury.  

While the Bonneville County Sheriffs Office Dive Team launched their jet skis, three crews from Idaho Falls Fire Department positioned themselves at the dam, 100 yards down from the dam, and at 200 yards from the dam to serve as safety watches if the victim were to break away from her grip and float downstream.

At around 1:00 p.m., first responders reported seeing the victim who was on top of the kayak. By 1:30 p.m. they had made contact with the victim, placed her onto a jet ski, and got her safely to the riverbank. She was taken to a nearby ambulance for evaluation and was released without injury.