CCFR reminds community of water safety following raft incident on Mendenhall River

No injuries reported, but fire department warns about hypothermia risk, unpredictable water levels

Capital City Fire/Rescue assists with a raft rescue on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Capital City Fire/Rescue)

By Jasz Garrett

Juneau Independent

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a report of 10 people stranded on a river raft north of Brotherhood Bridge on the Mendenhall River on Tuesday.

Fire Chief Tom Hatley said the rafting company was able to assist the boat to shore. Still, the department's special operations water team responded to check for signs of hypothermia from cold water exposure. He said there were no injuries.

"We just got there just as they got the last of the crew off the boat," he said. "None of them had any exposure. They'd been out there for a couple hours, so that was our concern, and nobody had gone overboard, so they all stayed within the raft, and they were all safe."

Hatley said that when the Mendenhall River rose, the raft snagged on a log, stranding the boat.

"That was due to the rising waters," he said. "They saw it before and then they didn't see it again. It was just below the water surface."

Unable to detach, the rafting company called for the fire department's assistance.

"Wear a life jacket at all times, be prepared for rising waters," Hatley said. "With the rising and lowering of the water daily, it's unpredictable. So just be prepared for that."

He noted a minor problem can quickly become an emergency when cold water, swift currents and remote locations are involved.

"The water is very cold and hypothermia can set in really quickly if you aren't prepared," Hatley added.

• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.