Capilano River safety campaign launched by Metro Vancouver

The trails along Capilano River Regional Park on the North Shore are a popular destination, but people are being warned the river’s waters are extremely cold and conditions are unpredictable this time of year.

Metro Vancouver has launched a campaign to “help residents stay safe” while visiting the park, including a website with information on what to do in an emergency.

It also urges people to stay on the designated trails, something District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Asst. Chief Kit Little says is important.

“A lot of places, there’s a lot of moss and grass that grows over but there’s nothing underneath it and we’ve had people get really close to the edge, step on this thinking they’re standing on solid ground, and they wind up falling 20, 30, 50 feet,” he told CityNews.

“If you go off a trail, there’s a very high probability that you’re going to fall into the river somehow [and] you can be very, very badly hurt or killed.”

Fire Capt. John Roberts says he has seen a lot of rescues and recoveries along the river, but says one tragic death stands out for him when a man fell more than 80 metres.

“He was taking a photo off the trailhead, and he proceeded to step over the barrier into an area where he shouldn’t have and when he was trying to walk back towards the trail he slipped and ultimately ended up at the bottom and he lost his life,” he said.

Related articles: 

• Capilano River drowning result of ‘human error’ at Cleveland Dam

• Cleveland Dam concerned Squamish Nation for years after multiple close calls

With the Cleveland Dam upstream, the campaign’s website also warns people to watch for rapid changes to water levels.

“Capilano River Regional Park is a beautiful and popular recreational area that is safe for residents and tourists to visit. However, water levels in the river can change rapidly at any time due to changes in the weather or dam operations,” a news release reads.

“Without much notice, the Capilano River can rise more than five metres (16 feet) at various points along the river, with water moving faster than 21 kilometres per hour. Even at smaller volumes, changes to the river can put people at risk of being swept off their feet.”

The regional district is also providing tips on how to be prepared when venturing out, like bringing along water, snacks, and a flashlight, with other recommendations around what to do when encountering wildlife.

For more information click here.