Park Serene, Current Lethal Swimmers Warned Of River’S Undertow

For more than 40 years, Joan McCallum has spent summers swimming in the Spokane River.

Growing up, she splashed in the clear waters just west of Corbin Park. By the time she reached high school, kids littered the beach with glass from drinking parties.

Now the peaceful park is remote and clean, but there’s always been a dark cloud hanging over the Post Falls’ swimming area.

“It seems like about every other year there’s been a drowning,” McCallum, 47, said Monday while sitting at the beach with her daughter, Katie. “People don’t realize the current through here.”

Kootenai County marine deputies agree.

Earlier this month, a 29-year-old Coeur d’Alene man drowned while crossing the river at Corbin Park in blue jeans. Police believe he may have been drinking.

On Sunday, a Spokane Valley man nearly drowned while trying to cross the river at Corbin Park. Two friends pulled James Moss, 20, of Greenacres, out of the water after he had bobbed up and down in the river for about a minute, Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies said.

He had not been drinking, but appeared to be a weak swimmer, Sgt. Andy Boyle said.

“Everyone wants to swim across to the rocks,” Boyle said. “You have to be able to swim. If you don’t know how to swim, put a life jacket on.”

Prior to this month, there hadn’t been any drownings at Corbin Park for at least four years, he said.

Alcohol and cold water - less than 70 degrees - take the energy out of many swimmers, he said.

Signs at Corbin Park warn swimmers of the current and undertow: “Swim at your own risk.”

Debby Ashcroft spent her Monday afternoon relaxing near the river’s edge while her dog, Mitty, splashed nearby. She doesn’t like to swim out into the current and always keeps an inner tube nearby.

“It doesn’t look so bad, but when you get out there - if you’re not on a tube or something, you better be careful,” the Post Falls resident said.

McCallum lets her 12-year-old daughter and friends swim only a few feet out into the river. She won’t let her try to cross the river to jump off the rocks. McCallum says she’s not a strong swimmer and won’t try it herself.

Many times she’s seen kids or adults struggling in the river. One time she helped save a man by throwing an inner tube to a flailing swimmer.

“If there’s any kind of current you see somebody get in trouble,” McCallum said. “It’s a beautiful river though.”