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Water levels on the rise in Eagle County, and so are emergency rescue calls

Peak runoff is expected to happen in the next 10 days but already rescue teams in Eagle County have seen a rise in water rescue calls

EAGLE, Colorado — Over the next few days, warmer weather will bring water levels up in rivers, streams and creeks across Colorado.

The Eagle River is flowing just above 3,000 cubic feet of water per second (cfs). Chris Johnson with Vail Mountain Rescue operations says that’s a lot of water moving fast. 

“If you can imagine a cubic foot, we measure how many of those are going by every single second,” Johnson said. 

Eagle County rescue teams are already bracing for a rise in water rescue calls after a busy start to the season.

Credit: Matt Renoux, KUSA

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“This year we are seeing higher than normal numbers,” Tracy LeClair with Eagle River Fire said. “Just since the middle of May we have seen the calls go up, and the last week we have had calls daily.”

The uptick in rescue calls is prompting water safety messages from rescue teams. Deputies with the Eagle County Sheriff's Office are also patrolling the area with throw bags, helmets and life vests.

“Proper equipment, proper training and going with people who know what they are doing,” Johnson said. “That’s a quality, well-fitting, strapped and buckled life jacket, well-fitting helmet, foot wear and something to protect you from the cold water.”

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