Drownings Renew Interest in More Warning Signs at Trinity Park

Editor's Note: On Tuesday, NBC 5 reported on the number of water related calls to Trinity Park based on reports given to us by the Fort Worth Fire Department.  The Fire Department contacted us Wednesday to explain an error.  The numbers we were given, 283, included all of the department's emergency calls to Trinity Park since 2007.  Wednesday the Fort Worth Fire Department reexamined the information and tells us the actual number of water rescue calls at Trinity Park since 2007 is six.  We apologize for the confusion and regret the error.

The stretch of the Trinity River that runs through Fort Worth's Trinity Park has led to six water rescue calls since 2007, the Fort Worth Fire Department says.

From 2007 through Feb. 2013, firefighters responded to six water rescue calls in the area both up and downstream from a low water rock dam that has been the scene of three drownings in less than three years, according to statistics kept by the fire department.

In light of the most recent drowning in January, there has been renewed interest in increasing the number of warning signs near the dam, according to representatives from the City of Fort Worth, the Tarrant Regional Water District and the Fort Worth Fire Department.

"If we recognize any type of safety issue we will do our best to try to address it," said Battalion Chief Richard Harrison.

"We've talked about additional signage, something that will make folks more aware as they access that area," said Richard Zavala, director of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services. "We've talked perhaps about installing some level of barriers down in that area."

The problem with installing any barriers, according to Chad Lorance of the Water District, is that they could potentially impede debris in the event of a flood. In addition to that concern, barriers could perhaps discourage people from enjoying the river, Lorance said.

"We want people to access the river at these low level dams and enjoy the recreational opportunities they provide," Lorance said. "But at the same time, we want people to be aware of the inherent dangers presented by any body of water, which could include a lake, your backyard pool, a water park, etc."

Contact Us