On May 10 2023, a 16ft high side drift boat was floating down the Smith River immediately downstream of Rocky Coulee Creek. The river was flowing at 2570 CFS. The visibility was clear. The temperature was 61 degrees. 
	The operator of the drift boat had minimal rowing experience. The operator had not rowed at any time for the duration of that trip until 5 minutes prior to the incident. The boat was occupied by the rower and one passenger (the owner). As the river made a left hand turn, the driftboat became portside pinned against a cliff on the right bank (facing downstream). The starboard side of the driftboat began taking on water until the boat fully capsized.
	The rower and the passenger were uninjured. The witness was uninjured. No one was injured in this accident. There were 3 personal flotation devices on board the driftboat. The rower and the passenger were not wearing personal flotation devices at the time of the incident.
SMITH RIVER
CASCADE                       