Sadly Big Willis Creek claimed two more victims today. Big Willis is a small tributary that winds through our valley (not far from our house) untill it finally dumps into the Coosa River. Normally it's a shallow stream with a few rapids that's fun to kayak. Downstream from us about 10 miles is a Head Dam, that served to create a deep pool from which the former steel plant drew water. This pool has been a popular swimming spot for years, despite all the warning signs of the dangers. That's where the two were apparently attempting to swim. During periods of heavier rainfall (which we've had) the water rushes over the dam creating an undertow that sucks people under, holding them tight against the dam. In 2015 it claimed the lives of two kayakers who tried to ride over the dam after a heavy rain, rather than portage around. As rescue workers attempted to retrieve the bodies from the downstream side, two of the rescue boats got to close to the dam, and capsized. One of the rescuers was sucked into the undertow and drowned, two more ended up in the hospital with various broken bones from being pummeled by the current.
Strange thing is even without the signs, everyone knows how dangerous it is, and yet the number of lives claimed by this one spot over the years keeps rising. I guess it's the fact that it is so deceptively calm, that you don't realize you're in trouble until it's to late.
