Yates Falls (can be deadly!)

The "Falls" or the "Dam" on the Mighty Clinton River at Dequindre/Yates Cider Mill can be deadly!  People drowned there on July 3rd 1999 and 2000.  (same day at the end of one century and the beginning of the next!)  This is my birth date day and normally I would have been on the river with my paddling buddies, but since it was my birthday I was not out in spite of high water each of these years.  On one of the years, 1999 I think, Red Boat Tom was there and pulled one guy out but the other guy drowned.

Here is a video of me running the dam but watch closely as my boat gets sucked back slightly.

Now see the aftermath of Ed's run in about the same size boat (Pyranha s6, mine was the s6f - both are 6' boats that are prone to diving)

Here is a good run with a larger boat (s6x)

I rarely run the dam any more, only if I am in a longer boat with more volume like my Pyranha Burn L which is 8 feet long - it spans the hydraulic better and the volume keeps you from diving but it is still a risky move and I do not recommend it.