And I see on the OTHER local news(paper) website that Citizen Dave Frazier and his readers have donated some signs. Kudos!

However, I fully agree with boisecynic – the river is NOT a controlled amusement park ride. Does placement of signs at certain hazardous locations suggest that the rest of the river is benign and suitable for floaters of all ages and abilities?

People drown in bathtubs! Moving water can be particularly hazardous to non-swimmers and those unfamiliar with the route.

(I remember perhaps 20 years ago when some out-of-towners set out just above Barber Dam – maybe a half-mile above the traditional Barber Park put-in. They went right over the dam! By some miracle, no deaths or serious injuries.)

Nor is it as simple as putting up warning signs. The area around the Clocktower Pond, officially called Quinn’s Pond has been getting much more use in the last few years. This is due to the 3 docks installed by Parks and Rec thanks to a neighborhood grant. The city has also allowed an unpaved parking lot which is a violation of the city’s own building codes.

The docks and the parking lot have attracted thousands more visitors per summer than used to visit the area. It’s my opinion that the area is not ready for such intense use.

Compare the Esther Simplot Park area, where Quinn’s Pond is, to the similarly incomplete Marianne Williams Park at Harris Ranch. There are no docks in the ponds at MW Park nor is there any parking. In fact the whole area is gated and posted no trespassing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOF2BlcXHlM