Bowling Green Focuses on River Safety Amid Drowning Incidents
Bowling Green has seen a series of tragic drowning events in the Barren River over the past couple of months, prompting city leaders and first responders to enhance safety measures for water recreation. As of late Saturday afternoon, first responders, including the Warren County Technical Rescue Team, the Bowling Green Fire Department, and personnel from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, participated in an urgent water rescue operation on the river.
A Call for Improved Safety
The recent increase in rescue operations has raised concerns in the community, especially after two drownings occurred recently. In September, the body of a 17-year-old student from the Gatton Academy was recovered following a lengthy search. Just weeks later, on October 16, authorities found Kevin Gidcumb, a 48-year-old local resident, deceased under the State Street Bridge.
In light of these incidents, the city is prioritizing improvements to safety along the Barren River, particularly as construction for early features of the Riverfront Park is slated to start next year. Brent Childers, Director of Neighborhood and Community Services, emphasized to community members that the safety enhancements have been an integral part of the planning process from the beginning.
Addressing Water Risks
Currently, the Barren River has only one low-head dam, which creates steep rapids that pose a significant danger to anyone who might accidentally fall into the water. Childers pointed out that this setup raises the water levels upstream to provide drinking water. The strong current and sudden elevation changes can catch even experienced swimmers off-guard.
In late September, over $3 million in funding was secured for the development of a new whitewater park, which will improve safety along the river. Childers noted that the project involves constructing several in-stream drops that will help to manage water flow more safely, decreasing the river’s elevation gradually rather than all at once. “The whole purpose of this is to create a new recreational amenity, but it also makes the river safer in this area,” he said.
Future Changes to Enhance Safety
Plans for the whitewater park include designing rapids that are milder than those found in other popular whitewater destinations like the Ocoee River in Tennessee. By funneling water down the middle of the river, calmer areas will be created along the banks for individuals who might unexpectedly fall into the water, allowing them to swim back safely.
Along with the new whitewater park, features of the Riverfront Park project will focus on improving access for rescue operations. The first stage involves upgrading the existing boat ramp, which is currently difficult to use due to a steep slope and narrow switchbacks. The new ramp will provide a better and easier route for emergency responders to launch boats quickly during rescue situations.
Understanding the Risks
While these projects aim to address safety concerns, Childers acknowledged that some risk will always be present when dealing with natural water bodies. “The river is the river – there’s an inherent level of risk,” he stated. “What we can do is engineer safe ways for people to interact with it under normal conditions.”
As the community adapts to these changes, the hope is that with better design and infrastructure, the safety of residents and visitors enjoying the Barren River can be greatly improved. Ongoing efforts will continue to remain focused on reducing the risks associated with outdoor water recreation.
