As river recreation begins to ramp up across Southwest Ohio, the Miami Conservancy District (MCD), in partnership with the Miami Valley Fire District, is launching a regional safety campaign to raise awareness about one of the most dangerous hazards on our waterways: low head dams.
April is recognized as Low Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month, making it the ideal time to educate paddlers, anglers, and river users before peak season begins.
Low head dams are often difficult to recognize and can appear calm or even inviting. But beneath the surface, they create powerful, recirculating currents that can trap boats, swimmers, and debris in a continuous cycle—making escape extremely difficult.
Because of this, low head dams are sometimes referred to as “drowning machines.”
To help prevent tragedies, MCD and its partners have launched the campaign:
Calm Water Can Kill
See the Line. Take the Portage. Live to Paddle Again.
The campaign focuses on helping river users recognize low head dams and take simple, life-saving actions:
River conditions can change quickly, especially after rainfall. High water increases the strength and danger of currents at low head dams.
Before heading out, river users should:
More than 80% of boating fatalities involve individuals not wearing a life jacket—making it one of the simplest ways to stay safe.
MCD is working with first responders, local governments, and community organizations across the region to share consistent safety messaging and reach as many river users as possible.
A partner toolkit—including graphics, social media posts, and educational materials—is available to help organizations easily participate in the campaign.
Even a single message can help prevent a tragedy.
To learn how to recognize low head dams and plan a safe river trip, open the Media Kit
OR visit: https://www.mcdwater.org/river-safety
