BEND, OR -- Bend Fire & Rescue, Deschutes County Search and Rescue and Tumalo Irrigation District will participate in a joint rescue training at Stiet Street Low-head Dam, located at Pioneer Park. The joint training will take place all day Tuesday, but various rescue scenarios will be practiced between 1-3 pm. 

Low-head dams, also known as “drowning machine,” are incredibly dangerous due to the hydraulics of these structures, according to Bend Fire officials. “Low head dams are killers because of the recirculating water and hydraulics,” Mitch Webb of Bend Fire & Rescue said in a statement. Even though the size and drop can appear small and not dangerous, the hydraulics can be unpredictable and trap a person or boat against the dam and pull them under water. 

Everyone should be aware that going over a low head dam in any vessel has a high potential for near drowning and death. These dams should be avoided at all costs.