Richmond, Va. (NewsradioWRVA.com) - With the 4th of July holiday coming up this weekend, and the death of two women from a Memorial Day rafting accident still fresh, City of Richmond officials urging caution on the river.
Officials say during a news conference along the James Monday morning that it's important to heed the warnings that are posted about safety on the river. Richmond mayor Levar Stoney says that the James has the only free-flowing, naturally-occurring Class 4 rapids in the U.S. that flows right through a city. The river can rapidly change as you approach the city.
Captain Brian Dalrymple with the Richmond Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team says when the river level is 5 feet or higher, then life jackets are required. When the level is 9 feet or higher, then that's recommended for experienced boaters and rafters only.
Penelope Davenport, program supervisor with the James River Park System, says you can find information on the river at jamesriverpark.org. Any sort of advisories will also be posted along the river as well. Davenport says they recommend life jackets no matter the level of the river.