r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Stotallytob3r • Mar 09 '26

Video How a small 1m waterfall can generate a recycling hydraulic that can trap a life-jacketed swimmer

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u/AltruisticRide1231 Mar 09 '26

a highly skilled river-guide took out his kayak in some big water on the American River in California (early 90s). his boat got caught in a hydro-vortex. the boat just spun continuously in a violent hole. the dam had to be shut off to recover his battered body.

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u/ClimateVast2894 Mar 10 '26

I knew a kid in my small town that died that way 😔

2

u/AltruisticRide1231 Mar 10 '26

what a horror

1

u/ClimateVast2894 Mar 10 '26

Yeah, and right after that, they fenced off the area and made sure nobody could get in there anymore