Labour Day Monday became a nerve-racking one for Calgary parents camping in Water Valley, who became concerned after their two girls, ages 12 and 13, didn't arrive at their estimated time and place when boating down the Little Red Deer River.
The two girls got on the river at about 1 p.m., and their trip north was estimated to take them between 30 and 45 minutes.
When over an hour had passed and the girls had not arrived, parents became concerned, and notified RCMP that they were missing at about 4 p.m.
A fisherman spotted them getting out and starting to walk back south.
Didsbury RCMP later located the girls about 6 p.m., and reunited them with their family.
“The problem is the river is quite shallow this year — too shallow to actually get a boat into it in some areas,” said Cpl. Warren Wright.
Inexperience was likely the cause of the situation, said Wright.
“They likely underestimated the length of time it would take, and the speed of the river. You have to know the path of the river and plan an exit point.”
Wright suggests that anyone boating down the Little Red Deer River should have PFDs (personal floatation devices) and a cellphone in a waterproof container for emergencies.
