Two fishermen were rescued from an island in the Middle Santiam River Sunday evening after water from Green Peter Dam began rising rapidly and trapped them, Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District reported.
At approximately 5:58 p.m., SHFAD personnel responded to the area in the 45400 block of Quartzville Road. According to SHFAD, despite early reports that the water was rapidly rising from dam emissions, the fishermen were not in immediate danger. However, they were unable to get off the island due to high water.
SHFAD personnel launched a boat at Sunnyside Park and went up the river to retrieve the anglers, who were returned to the park and their vehicle. No injuries were reported. SHFAD’s response included two command units, a medic unit, a rescue, the boat with two operators and wildland crew 21, with a total of 12 personnel. SHFAD cautioned people to remember that water levels on the river above Foster Lake can rise rapidly with little to no warning when the dam spill gates are opened.
