The log that trapped two children in recent weeks in the Calapooia River near McKercher Park turned out to be a 30- by 30-inch burl, said Brian Carroll, Linn County Parks director.
He said Linn County Bridge Crew workers pulled it out early Monday, Aug. 10, less than a week after park-goers rescued an 8-year-old girl who had been trapped in the rapid caused by the burl on Aug. 4. Earlier, on Aug. 1, bystanders formed a human shield to deflect the current so Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District rescuers could pull a 10-year-old boy out.
“This is a natural water course,” Carroll said, warning the public to be cautious, nonetheless. “That rock formation has so many channels. While they got that burl out of there Monday, something else could have floated in there on Tuesday. We never know what’s in there.”
He said the COVID shutdown has driven a lot of people outdoors.
“For a lot of them, this may be their first time out there. They’re not familiar with the area.”