The Truckee River runs swift and cold in spring, even after warm weather arrives. Safe, common sense precautions will help keep a day of enjoying the water from turning tragic. This is especially true when small children are involved. They are least likely to be aware of the danger lurking in the alluring water of the Truckee River.
On one of the first warm days of spring 2011, people were strolling up and down the Riverwalk, enjoying sunshine and balmy weather for the first time in months. It had been cold and stormy until just a few days before and the pent up need to get outside was palpable. Spring snowmelt had roiled the Truckee River and the icy water was high and flowing at a fast clip through downtown Reno. It was easy for most people to see that it wasn't yet time to playing in the water, but not everyone.
At the south end of the Sierra Street bridge, I saw some little kids hopping around on the rocks, playing splash tag with the water. Nearby, a grandmotherly appearing woman was busy taking pictures of the children. Before the danger dawned on me, I snapped a few shots myself as possible illustrations of springtime in Reno. Then one of the girls slipped on the rocks, went in the river and became completely submerged.
