High Ridge Fire Protection District firefighters are warning people about the dangers of swimming at Rockford Beach in House Springs, where they’ve already had two water rescue calls this spring, Engineer John Barton said.
“In both cases, people got trapped in that current and couldn't get back out and they actually went over the rapids that are there right at the beach,” Barton said.
At least two people have drowned in recent years while swimming at the beach – an 8.2-acre Jefferson County Park next to the Big River.
“A lot of pools are closed and so they're looking for an alternative, and Rockford Beach particularly is very deceptive,” Barton said. “It looks calm, but once you get out into the river a little bit, the current is really strong.”
Barton said June 10 that he’s particularly worried about this swimming season because of the two water rescue calls the district already received at Rockford Beach.
The district had one water rescue in 2018 and three in 2019, he said.
“To me, it seems unusual that we have had two water rescues dispatched within (a couple of) days,” Barton said. “It’s a pretty early start to the year for getting those types of calls. We've only had a few days so far that have been really hot outside.”
Barton said the first call was at 7:40 p.m. May 31, when two teenagers were trying to swim across the river to meet friends. One of the teenagers got swept up in the current and went over the rapids. Fortunately, Barton said, the teen made it to the shore with only minor injuries.
The second call was at 1:57 p.m. June 2, when four teenagers were trying to swim across the river and two of them got caught in the current. Luckily, both made it to the shore OK, and just one of them had had minor injuries.
Barton advises people not to wade or swim at Rockford Beach, where signs are posted warning people of the dangers.
“Those signs that are up telling people not to swim have stories behind them,” Barton said. “We've had a lot of calls and some tragedies in that area because of that river.”
The Parks Department also has warnings on its website about the dangers of swimming at Rockford Beach.
In 2017, the park was closed for a short period so the dam could be inspected after a 14-year-old Pacific boy drowned near the dam in June of that year.
A 20-year-old St. Louis County man drowned in June 2014 while swimming at Rockford Beach.
The beach was also closed for a short time during the summer of 2016, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reinforced the dam under the direction of the Environmental Protection Agency because of environmental concerns.
Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Director Tim Pigg said the area is not meant for swimming or wading.
“The pools are closed in a lot of places,” he said. “So, they're trying to find other places to go cool off, and I get it, but the Big River, especially if it's up a little bit, is a very strong current.”
Pigg said the Parks Department recently has received a lot of calls asking about Rockford Beach and whether it’s open and if people are allowed to swim there.
He said park staff members have been telling the callers that the park is open, but swimming or wading is not recommended. He said about 50 percent of the calls are from St. Louis County residents and the other half from Illinois.
Pigg said Rockford Beach is meant to be a recreational area, for gatherings, picnicking and fishing, but not for swimming.
Many people fish from the shore and boat ramp at the park, Barton said.
He said people should be careful anytime they swim in a river and recommends they wear lifejackets and have a swimming buddy. He also advises against swimming in flooded areas.
“It's dangerous to swim in a natural body of water that you're not familiar with,” he said.
Barton said when emergency responders are called for a water rescue to Rockford Beach, High Ridge firefighters from House 3, which is less than a mile away, arrive first on the scene. He said crews from House 1 also are dispatched there and bring water rescue equipment. He said crews from Eureka and Cedar Hill fire protection districts also are called to the scene.
“We bring a lot of equipment in because if it is actually a swift-water rescue, then it takes a lot of personnel to do that,” he said.
Barton said High Ridge Fire crews are trained for water rescues and review their training before each summer.
“That includes practical training where we actually go down to the (Big) river and practice various rescue scenarios,” he said.
The Jefferson County Parks Department has been operating the Rockford Beach park since 1997.