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The low-head dam almost strikes again. These manmade river structures, often less than 10-feet high and sometimes known as “weirs” or “downing machines”, are most often deadly.
Low-head dams are responsible for 50 fatalities a year in the US alone—and the number is increasing as more people recreate on rivers. These visually unthreatening river features create a powerful towback that is often impossible to escape.
River users may accidentally fall overtop (this style of dam can be difficult to see when looking downstream due to the flat water above it), or they may simply swim too close and find themselves pulled upstream by the powerful hydraulic.
In the video, we witness a Michigan paddler awkwardly survive his near-deadly brush with a low-head dam—and it’s extremely uncomfortable to watch.
The kayaker thrusts himself off an ice-shelf and takes just one or two forward strokes before he drops into the turbulence below. He is immediately stopped by the force of the dam’s towback and visibly struggles to paddle downstream.
After three attempts at trying to pass the invisible barrier of the hydraulic—and in a state of near exhaustion—he is finally granted safe passage.
What would have happened if he exhausted quicker, or capsized, or swam?
This video is one from the archives, filmed at the Fourth St Dam on the Grand River, Michigan. It’s a great learning video as it highlights the raw power of these hydro dams. This paddler’s struggle and narrow escape begs the question: was it really worth it?