Ann Arbor, MI – Visitors along the Huron River in Washtenaw County are being urged to use extreme caution today after a weekend rescue highlighted dangerous water conditions near the Broadway Bridge.
According to the Ann Arbor Fire Department, crews responded Sunday, April 26, to reports of a paddleboarder struggling in the river. The individual was able to reach shore safely before first responders arrived, avoiding what officials described as a potentially life-threatening situation.
Authorities say current river conditions remain hazardous, with flow levels exceeding 1,200 cubic feet per second (CFS). At that rate, officials note, the force of the water can be comparable to thousands of basketball-sized volumes moving downstream every second, creating powerful and unpredictable currents.
Fire officials emphasize that anyone entering or recreating near the river should wear a properly fitted life jacket at all times. They also warn that river conditions can vary significantly depending on location, with shifting currents and elevated debris adding to the danger.
The department added that debris levels remain high, and conditions can change rapidly, especially following recent weather patterns that have increased water flow across the region.
Residents and visitors in Ann Arbor, as well as the broader Washtenaw County and Metro Detroit area, are encouraged to avoid entering the river during high-flow periods and to remain alert when near the water’s edge.
Officials say safety remains the top priority as conditions continue to evolve this week.
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