OUTDOORS + RECREATION

After two teens drown in Utah, water-safety expert warns of undercurrent danger

Jun 27, 2023, 5:00 PM

Warnings are being issued about water safety after a 17-year-old boy drowned while swimming with fr...

Conner Bowden is pictured. He went missing Sunday but was found dead Monday at Hyrum Dam Beach. (Family photo)

(Family photo)

SALT LAKE CITY — Weber County officials are issuing water-safety warnings after a 17-year-old boy drowned while swimming with friends near a retention dam in Weber County. The Weber County Sheriff’s Office said the teens had entered a restricted area and bypassed a locked gate at Hooper Dam.

Water near dams can create an undercurrent that can be difficult to spot from the surface and is difficult for even strong swimmers to escape, a water-safety expert told KSL Newsradio. 

 

Officials said the boy who drowned became caught in an undercurrent near the dam. A friend jumped in to help rescue the teen but also became struck by the undercurrent. The third friend called 911.

Two deputies were able to pull the second teen to safety just in time. Officials found the other boy’s body on Sunday night.

“Unfortunately, the area they were swimming in is right next to retention dam, which when deputies arrived, there was a pretty severe undercurrent where the first teen had gone underwater,” said Lt. Colby Ryan of the Weber County Sheriff’s Office.

“The undercurrent is just where the water turns in circles. Once you get lost in it, you don’t know which way is up and which way is down. They’re very difficult to swim out of; even a very strong swimmer has a hard time getting out of an undercurrent,” Ryan said.

Cache County teen drowns

In the other drowning, Conner Bowden, 14, went missing around 2:30 Sunday afternoon at Hyrum Reservoir in Cache County.

Sheriff’s Lt. Mikelshan Bartschi said divers with the Department of Public Safety located Bowden’s body Monday morning after almost 20 hours of searching. K-9 units also searched the shoreline and a helicopter with infrared scanning ability was brought in, according to cachevalleydaily.com.

Water-safety expert shares life-saving wisdom

Ty Hunter, boating coordinator for the Division of Outdoor Recreation is also stressing the importance of life jackets. 

Hunter warns swimmers to stay away from retention and irrigation dams because they can become trapped in that dangerous, hard-to-detect undercurrent.

“They are not safe to be around. Do not swim in and around and especially on the downstream side of it because you will get caught and pinned in those locations. Stay away from them,” he warned.

Hunter also urges swimmers and boaters to wear their life jackets around water. When you are traveling in a car or truck, you wear a seat belt. The same thing goes for life jackets and water, he said.

“Please wear your life jackets. They will save your life … will help you in that time of need where you do not have enough energy or capacity to be able to get yourself to safety. They will keep you floating,” he advised.

Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Outdoors + Recreation

A red and white ski bus labeled with the UTA logo...

Mariah Maynes

Panel discussion presents Little Cottonwood gondola alternatives

A panel discussion held by groups opposed to the proposed Little Cottonwood gondola shared alternative solutions to ski day congestion.

4 days ago

Julie Olson looks over the displays for a new multiuse 400 South trail in Salt Lake City with Laura...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Salt Lake City eyes new 400 South trail as it seeks better east-west connections

Salt Lake City is planning a new 400 South Trail to improve connectivity between the city's East and West sides.

8 days ago

First responders search for the man who died in a paragliding accident on Friday....

Matt Brooks, KSL.com

Kaysville man dies in Box Elder County paraglider accident

A 25-year-old man from Kaysville, Utah, has died in a paraglider accident near Willard in Box Elder County on Friday.

8 days ago

Cutting back perennials...

Michelle Lee

Perennials: To cut or not to cut?

You can cut back most perennials out there in the fall, but here are some that you should consider waiting for spring.

10 days ago

two bull elk...

Don Brinkerhoff

Fall wildlife migrations are about to start, DWR warns drivers

Utah drivers are going to want to pay extra attention over the next few weeks as herds of deer and elk begin to migrate to lower elevations.

10 days ago

9 buck deer stand on green grass...

Mariah Maynes

DWR recommends changes to Utah deer management, seeks input

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is recommending several changes to deer management ahead of the current plan's December expiration.

11 days ago

Sponsored Articles

4 construction workers fixing roof against clouds blue sky, install shingles at the top of the hous...

Chipman Roofing

Weather the storms by maintaining your roof

By taking the time to assess your roof's condition and make repairs as needed, you maintain the longevity of your home's stability.

Tax Harassment...

Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Feeling intimidated by the IRS? 6 Essential facts you should know.

If you are receiving threatening letters and wage garnishments from the IRS, hiring an attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.

Photo courtesy of Nightmare on 13th...

Nightmare on 13th

Here’s why Nightmare on 13th is the best haunted house in Utah

Fall brings Halloween, and Halloween brings Haunted Houses. There’s no better Haunted House than Nightmare on 13th – here’s why!

USA, Utah, Bear Lake. The deep blue of Utah's Bear Lake contrasts with autumn foliage....

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Experience Bear Lake’s all-year activities

We break down Bear Lake's four-season recreational offerings so the whole family can enjoy their time there any time of the year.

Water park with a vintage VW bug in front with a surfboard on top...

Cowabunga Bay

Spend the last days of summer at Cowabunga Bay! 

Cowabunga Bay is one of Utah's premier water parks that features water slides, a lazy river, a kids' cove, and a beach with lounge chairs.

A young woman smiles while reading the menu at a lakeside restaurant, enjoying the panoramic view o...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best restaurants to try in Bear Lake

Save this guide to the best restaurants in Bear Lake when you need to find a place to dine during your next visit.

After two teens drown in Utah, water-safety expert warns of undercurrent danger