The Frio River in Texas is recovering faster than expected after last week’s Hill Country flooding. Some float outfitters near Concan plan to reopen as soon as Thursday. However, river experts and visitors are warning others to be cautious, as not every stretch of the water is safe yet.
River Conditions
Brett Rimkus, a member of the flood advisory team at Garner State Park, checks the river every day and says the cleanup has been remarkable. ‘This is the best river we’ve had in probably 19 years,’ Rimkus said. ‘The river’s looking absolutely wonderful. People are ready. We’ve had a drought for the last five years — so people have wanted to come out here and get in the water. It’s cold, the springs are full, and everything about it is screaming, ‘Let’s get in the water and finish out summer.”
Matthew Lopez, a visitor from Corpus Christi, had a terrifying experience near Majors Crossing earlier this week — downstream from the dam, where currents are still running fast. Lopez said his son flipped off a float, and his wife was swept into rapids, where she sustained cuts and bruises before grabbing onto a branch to pull herself out.
Rimkus recommended that visitors talk to outfitters before going on the river and use river shoes, as the flood turned over rocks and left sharper surfaces along the riverbed. Life jackets are also strongly encouraged, especially for children.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
