Press Releases

Contact: Deborah Turcotte, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Telephone: work (207) 287-6008 cell (207) 592-1164

Fax: (207) 287-6395

July 2, 2008

Maine Warden Service Warns People Not to Swim in Moving Water; Baldwin Man Found in Saco River

Augusta – The Maine Warden Service is warning people not to swim in rivers or streams with moving water because of the risk of drowning.

Recent thunderstorms with heavy downpours of rain has raised water levels in rivers and streams statewide by as much as three feet, causing fast-moving currents and creating murky waters that can hide obstacles such as logs and rocks.

“Any moving water is a dangerous body of water, and people should be mindful of the currents and not go in,” said Maine Game Warden Norm Lewis.

A fast-moving current contributed to the apparent drowning death of a 33-year-old Baldwin man at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday on the Saco River. Stephen Hawkes was swimming about 75 yards below the Hiram Falls Dam with his wife, Luz, and a friend when the current overpowered them.

“They were swimming across the river to get to a little island on the opposite side,” Lewis said. “Mr. Hawkes apparently fought against the current and it overpowered him. He lost his strength and went under. The other two rode it out and they got spun out at the bottom of the current.”

Mr. Hawkes was located about 150 yards downstream from the Hiram Falls Dam at approximately 11:05 a.m. today. The Medical Examiner’s Office reviewed Mr. Hawkes’ body, and he was transported to Blais & Hay Funeral Home in Westbrook, according to Warden Tony Gray, who is investigating the apparent drowning.

Among the people Mr. Hawkes was swimming with were his mother and sister. His sister's husband was a witness. His mother was pulled from the water. No names are available at this time.

People are seeking relief from high temperatures and humidity levels, and they want to include swimming as part of their Fourth of July weekend festivities, said Warden Lewis. But deciding to go near or in moving water on rivers and streams should not be part of their plans.

“It may not have rained in recent days in the place where you hoped to swim,” Warden Lewis said. “But if it rained in the White Mountains, it’s affecting the Saco River. If it rained in Rangeley, it’s affecting the Androscoggin River, and so on. It takes time for all of this water to flow downstream, and this is happening statewide. Water levels are up everywhere, and it’s creating fast and strong currents.”

Warden Lewis said a gallon of water weighs approximately 8 pounds. “If it’s moving eight, 12 or 20 miles an hour, it’s difficult for the human body to swim against it.”

Also, because water levels are high, they are creating danger zones that may not have existed before.

“You may know of danger zones at your favorite places to swim, and you know to avoid them,” Warden Lewis said. “But those zones now may be under water and new dangerous spots may be in places that you think are safe. Use caution and don’t go near moving water.”

People should be mindful that rivers with hydroelectric dams have unpredictable flows because power companies are trying to produce electricity to meet peak demands as well as empty filled catch basins above the dams, Warden Lewis said.

Warden Lewis said he suggests people find alternative ways to cool off. If a river or stream has a big pool of non-moving water, it may be suitable for swimming. He said people should be mindful of conditions and evaluate the risk for currents in those areas before entering the water.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Press Releases