The Canadian River, which extends for more than 1,000 miles in four states (Colorado & New Mexico & Texas and Oklahoma), is flooding in parts of the Texas Panhandle.
High visitation areas for off-roaders and other recreational users like Rosita Flats are being asked by the National Park Service to avoid certain areas along the river until the water subsides.
“We really ask that you stay out of here until the flood water recedes,” said Eric Smith, parks superintendent. “The opportunity to get out here and get into trouble is pretty high for the next four to five days.”
“I was amazed I couldn’t believe how high it was I’ve never seen it like this before,” said Jennifer Porter, Dumas resident.
The Canadian River is the highest it’s been since 1996 when it measured at nine and one-half feet.
“The river is running at a higher rate of speed, people need to be careful of rip currents, there’s quicksand out there at the river also would say make sure you know how to swim,” said Blaik Kemp, Hutchinson County sheriff. “Make sure you're wearing flotation devices if it’s too deep.”
The National Park Service and law enforcement agencies in the Texas Panhandle want to remind anyone who wants to come out here to recreate wisely and just remember with more rain in the forecast over the next couple of days that just means the Canadian River is going to rise even higher.
“If it lands just right on the Canadian River we can see it go back up again because the river will go back down a bit and then come back up again depending on if we get rain tonight or when it actually falls in the basin,” said Lance Goehring, forecaster with National Weather Service.
Smith tells ABC 7 News folks need to remember there are quicksand and mud flats along the river and there not marked.
“When the area floods it really moves those areas around in the river and up into this river plain that’s here so it’s a really high risk,” said Smith.
Smith adds anyone who is canoeing or kayaking or rafting needs to make sure they understand access is limited while the river is this high.
“Right now, it can be really challenging so at the higher levels it sits right now at nine feet at the Canadian River Bridge,” said Smith. “The water is moving very quickly but it’s not a steady flow. If you do get into trouble between here and the lake there’s not a lot of access areas so it will be an air rescue if something were to happen.”
More rain is scheduled to move across the Texas Panhandle in the days ahead.