River/Stream: Iowa River
Location: Alden, Hardin County
Owner: City of Alden
Height: 10 ft.
Length: 208 ft.
Hazards: drowning, usage, visibility, height
Warning Signs: Updates in progress
Portage: river left, avoid river right especially during high water; portage improved in 2008
Documented Fatalitites: 2
- April 29, 2007 - canoeists Drew Goodknight & Jon Hill
Incident Report:
Authorities identified the victims as Jonathan Hill, 26, and Drew Goodknight, 22, both of Iowa Falls. A third passenger in the boat, Levi Wendland, 26, also of Iowa Falls, escaped serious injury but was reportedly taken to Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls.
The incident happened shortly before 6 p.m. when the three were paddling on the Iowa River. After reaching the dam at Alden, they carried their canoe around and below the dam, but the vessel was apparently sucked into the churning water.
None of the three passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
