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Rushing mountain stream crossing a trail, hiker standing well back on the bank

A river or stream is blocking my route

A thin blue line on the map, a rushing stream with no footbridge in front of you – the safest crossing is usually the one you do not make.

First

  1. Stop at the bank; do not wade in on impulse. Depth and current are almost always underestimated.
  2. The safest decision is usually: do not cross – find a bridge, wait or turn back.
  3. Never cross floodwater or flooded paths.
  4. If someone falls in: do not jump in after them, help from the bank and call the local emergency number (112 in the EU).

Call emergency services if

  • Someone has fallen in or is being swept away
  • You are cut off by rising water
  • Injury or signs of hypothermia
  • No safe way back and darkness

Emergency numbers for Austria · Change region

What is happening

On the map it was a thin blue line; on the ground it is a rushing stream with no footbridge – or the bridge has been washed away. After rain, or on warm days during snowmelt, streams carry much more water than usual, and it is often cloudy so that depth and bottom cannot be seen.

Moving water is almost always underestimated. Even at moderate depth the current pushes hard against your legs, and stones on the bottom are slippery or roll away. Anyone who falls is swept along, can be pushed under by their backpack or pinned against obstacles such as fallen trees. Cold water can trigger cold shock with uncontrolled gasping and quickly drains strength and coordination.

Streams can rise quickly after rain further up, even if it is dry where you are. Streams fed by snow or glaciers often carry less water in the morning than in the afternoon. A stream that was harmless in the morning can be an obstacle on the way back.

The key insight: a detour, waiting or turning back costs time – a failed crossing can cost a life. A crossing should only be considered if it is unavoidable, the water is clear, slow and well below knee height, there are no obstacles downstream, and everyone is fit, dry and travelling in daylight.

Step by step

  1. Phase 1

    At the bank: look first

    • Stop and do not wade in on impulse.
    • Observe the water: colour, speed, waves, floating debris and the sound of rolling stones.
    • Check whether the water is rising: push a stick in at the water's edge and look again after a few minutes.
    • Look on the map for bridges, footbridges and other routes.
    • Honestly assess the state of the group and the remaining daylight.

  2. Phase 2

    Decide

    • Do not cross if the water is cloudy, fast, deep or rising, if there are rapids, waterfalls or fallen trees downstream, if anyone is tired, wet or cold, or if it is getting dark.
    • Take the detour via a bridge or other route – even if it costs hours.
    • If the water is rising, move to a higher bank and wait; with meltwater, the morning may bring better conditions.
    • Tell your contact person you will be late.

  3. Phase 3

    Only if a crossing is unavoidable

    • Choose a wide, shallow spot with calm current and a clear run-out with no obstacles downstream.
    • Pack electronics and spare clothes waterproof; keep your shoes on.
    • Undo the hip belt and chest strap so you can drop the pack in an emergency.
    • Face diagonally into the current, use a pole as a third point of contact and take small steps; always find secure footing first.
    • Only one person in the water at a time; the others stay on the bank and watch.
    • If the water gets deeper or the current stronger than expected: turn back at once.

  4. Phase 4

    If something goes wrong

    • If someone falls in: do not jump in after them. Shout and call the local emergency number (112 in the EU) at once.
    • Help from the bank: reach or throw a branch, a jacket or a rope without being pulled in yourself.
    • If you fall in yourself: let the first cold shock pass, float on your back, feet first downstream, and work towards the bank where the water is calmer.
    • If you are cut off by rising water: move to higher ground and call the emergency number.
    • After the rescue: get out of wind and wet, change wet clothing, wrap up warmly.

What to watch out for

  • Cloudy water hides everything

    In cloudy water you can see neither depth nor holes nor stones. What you cannot see, you cannot judge.

  • Obstacles downstream

    Fallen trees and branches in the water let water through but pin people against them. There must be no such obstacles downstream of a crossing point.

  • Cold shock

    Sudden immersion in cold water triggers uncontrolled gasping. Fight the instinct to thrash; float calmly until your breathing settles.

  • Water rises from upstream

    Storms or rain further up the valley can make a stream swell quickly. If the water rises, turns cloudy or carries debris, move away from the bank at once.

  • Logs and stones as bridges

    Wet logs and mossy stones are extremely slippery. A fall from them often ends in the water or with injuries.

  • Flooded paths

    On flooded paths the ground is often washed away and the current invisible. Never cross floodwater – not by car either.

Common mistakes

  • Wading in on impulse “because the other side is right there”.
  • Crossing barefoot.
  • Walking through the current with the hip belt fastened.
  • Relying on the fact that others have made it.
  • Jumping into the water after a person or a dog.
  • Crossing late in the day when everyone is tired.

Prepare in advance

  • Check the route in advance for stream crossings without bridges.
  • Factor in the weather, rain over the previous days and snowmelt.
  • Plan a time buffer and an alternative route.
  • Pack electronics and spare clothes in waterproof bags.
  • Agree in the group beforehand that turning back is a good option.

Special consideration

Children and smaller people
Smaller and lighter people are knocked over by the current much sooner. Stricter limits apply for them – if in doubt, do not cross.
Dogs
Dogs are easily swept away. Keep your dog on a lead and never jump in after it if it gets into the water.

Sources

  • Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, 9th edition · The Mountaineers Books, 2017
  • Respect the Water – Float to Live · Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), UK
  • Turn Around Don't Drown · NOAA National Weather Service (USA)
  • FM 3-05.70 Survival · Headquarters, Department of the Army (USA), 2002

Your situation

Water
Alternatives
State of the group

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Basics for this situation

Why: Always applies to this situation – regardless of your answers.

All rules of this situation (6)

  1. [not active] If Water = Fast, cloudy or deep

    Do not cross fast, cloudy or deep water. Turning back is not a defeat but the safe decision.

  2. [not active] If Water = Rising after rain or snowmelt

    Rising water can become dangerous quickly. Move to a higher bank and wait; streams fed by snow or glaciers often carry less water in the morning than in the afternoon.

  3. [not active] If Water = Clear, slow, well below knee height

    Even shallow water should only be crossed if unavoidable and all no-go criteria have been checked. If in doubt, don't.

  4. [not active] If Alternatives = Bridge or other route known

    Take the detour via the bridge or other route – even if it costs hours.

  5. [not active] If Alternatives = None known

    Turn back along the known route or wait in a safe spot and inform your contact person.

  6. [not active] If State of the group = Tired, wet, cold or getting dark

    Anyone tired, wet and cold should not cross. Keeping warm and finding shelter come first.