Body of swimmer recovered at Jay Cooke State Park

• Jay Cooke river rescue

Carlton County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Rennquist takes a statement Monday from a young woman who reported that her male companion was washed down river by strong currents and appeared to be drowning. Wendy Johnson / wjohnson@pinejournal.com

Talk about it

A man who reportedly was swimming Monday afternoon in an off-limits section of the St. Louis River was found dead in the river later in the evening.

The 24-year-old man was swimming in the river near Jay Cooke State Park when he was swept away, according to his companion, who called 911 about 4:50 p.m. She told dispatchers she thought the man was drowning.

The man’s body was recovered about 8:15 p.m. in 8-10 feet of water, according to Carlton County Sheriff Kelly Lake.

The Northland has experienced an unusual string of water emergencies during temperature spikes this summer, including six drownings between July 9 and Aug. 2.

Monday’s incident took place along the Munger Trail where a bridge spans the river, flanked by jagged rocks and unpredictable currents. Park officials have closed the area to swimmers, and a sign to that effect is posted on the bridge along the shoreline telling of the drowning death of a young person in that spot a number of years ago who was swept away by the current. The area continues to be popular with young people each summer, however.

Conservation Officer Scott Staples, who patrols the area of the bridge, said he is saddened and discouraged by this most recent incident, saying he makes it a point to patrol the area as often as possible and has issued both warnings and citations to people he found jumping or swimming there. Staples called it “a huge safety issue.”

Carlton County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene along with the Carlton County Dive and Rescue Team, area firefighters and state conservation officers. As the search continued, more help arrived from the St. Louis County Rescue Squad and the Minnesota State Patrol air unit.

After a brief storm system moved through the area just before the emergency call, the wind was swirling along the course of the river, making the water choppy and the currents unusually strong. Emergency workers were posted in various spots downriver to keep an eye out for the lost swimmer.

“Many people think they know the current in that river,” he said, “but if Minnesota Power should happen to open the gates of the dam, that could increase dramatically and wash swimmers down onto the rocks.

“I’ve chased swimmers out of this spot for five years, and they just keep coming back. They’re not only risking their own lives, but also the lives of the people who are called out to respond to an incident like this one.”

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