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Knowledge is power – especially in the water


Safe Water Practices

Triple-digit temperatures during these hot Texas summers are sending everyone to waterways to cool off. And while we’ve all heard about the importance of sunscreen and hydration, safe water practices we all practice at the neighborhood pool don’t cover all the necessary water safety measures in the great outdoors.

Water competence is important for all ages, whether it’s a stream, lake, river or pond. Here are a few important reminders:

  • Nose Clips

    An amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, can cause a rare, usually fatal illness – Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis – or PAM. The infection only occurs when the amoeba is present in surface water and that water is forced up a person’s nose during activities such as jumping, diving, or swimming. The disease can’t be spread from person to person and people can’t get infected by swallowing the water.
    But you don’t have to remember all that. Just remember that one way to greatly reduce the risk of infection is to avoid submerging your head when swimming in freshwater. By using nose clips or a swimming mask, holding your nose while going underwater or simply not going underwater offers a way to greatly decrease the chance of infection. Since the amoeba is also found in dirt, you should also avoid digging or stirring up sediment in the water.
    This rare but fatal illness thrives in the summer, when the temperature is often hottest and water levels are lower. Naegleria fowleri is not found in saltwater, like the ocean. Recreational water users should assume Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater across the United States, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Weather

    The sunshine may tempt families to the water, but don’t let that blind you from looking at weather forecasts. Weather in Texas can change in an instant. And unlike a backyard pool, those enjoying the river or a reservoir, aren’t as close to safe locations if severe weather were to strike. A beautiful, clear-skied Texas day can quickly morph into dangerous and severe weather conditions.
    With much of the Brazos basin being rural, cell phone service may not be reliable for keeping track of the latest weather conditions. Keep an eye on the sky for any unexpected changes in air or water temperatures.
  • Algae and Dead Fish

    It may sound simple, but use your eyes. If there are a number of dead fish floating in an area you’re considering for fishing or swimming, stay on the safe side and relocate to another spot. Fish kills can happen for a number of reasons, some of which are not hazardous or a public health concern. Golden algae, for instance, is a naturally-occurring microscopic alga that commonly occurs in surface waters state-wide. Blooms of this algae can produce toxins that are lethal to fish, mussels and clams, but harmless to humans.
    These blooms can also make the water appear brownish or tea colored, which brings up another point. If something about the water looks wrong, move along. There could be a variety of different reasons for a different appearance.
    For instance, pollen can build up on the water’s surface and create a white, yellow or even green film. “Tomato soup” or “chocolate milk” colored water happens due to suspended solids within the water. If there’s a bunch of algae everywhere, it could be natural, but just in case, relocate.
  • Personal Floatation Devices

    Life jackets aren’t just for kids. No one is drown-proof. About 10 people per day die from unintentional drowning across the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control. Of those, two are 14 years old or younger. It’s important to not only use life jackets but to have the right kind and the appropriate size for the person wearing it. Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, regardless of the distance to be traveled, the size of the boat, or the swimming ability of boaters.
    Drowning is silent and can happen in just a few seconds.
  • Safe Water Practices
  • Emergencies

    What do you do if you become stranded on a lake? What’s your first response if someone goes underwater and doesn’t come back up? What agency do you call if you’re hurt and on the river?
    Don’t wait until it’s too late. Learn how to respond to aquatic and other emergencies. The Red Cross offers first aid, CPR and water safety courses. People tire faster swimming in open waters like lakes and rivers than in pools, and therefore can get into trouble more quickly.
    Did you know that both state law and BRA regulations require any on-water accident be reported to authorities? It is best to make the report immediately following the accident by dialing 911. If you do not make your report at that time, contact the lake office.
    To contact the office at Possum Kingdom Lake call 940-779-2321; at Lake Granbury call 817-573-3212; and at Lake Limestone call 903-529-2141.
  • Don’t drink it

    Natural water can be contaminated from sewage and other pollutants. So don’t drink it! According to the Red Cross, sewage, animal waste and water runoff following a rainfall can contaminate water and consuming unsafe water can result in illness.
  • Alcohol

    Speaking of drinking, it may not be illegal to have an open container on a boat or in the riverbed, but that doesn’t make it a good decision. Drinking while boating endangers you, your family and others enjoying the water. The BRA encourages everyone to enroll in a boater education course. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers these courses throughout Texas, online and through home course kits.
    Drinking in the hot sun can also increase dehydration.

And, then there’s this:

  • Never swim alone,
  • Look before you leap as large objects, rocks and tree stumps may not be seen from above the water,
  • Always avoid stagnant water and obey “No Swimming” signs,
  • Don't swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and sicken others.

Finally, if you’re on a river and have cell service, you can stay alert for rising river conditions at https://www.BrazosBasinNOW.org. And at any point there is an emergency on or near the water call 911 immediately.