Sheriff's Office advises against traveling on river in Wisconsin after overturned canoe incident, 3rd response in last 10 days

BARTON, Wis. (WFRV) – After responding to citizens in distress three times in the past ten days, a Wisconsin sheriff's office is advising people not to travel on the Milwaukee River.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office posted on its Facebook page advising against travel on the Milwaukee River in Washington County. On June 2 around 7 p.m., authorities were notified of an overturned canoe in the middle of the Milwaukee River.

Officials say it was determined the canoe was stuck in a downed tree and appeared unoccupied. After a lengthy search on June 2, authorities returned the next day to remove the canoe.

While the canoe was being removed, a neighbor reportedly said that two men who were in the canoe fled after it overturned. It was mentioned that the neighbor said they had been recovered.

The sheriff's office says they would like to return the canoe and property inside to the rightful owners, and those with information on the owners should call 262-335-4378.

It was also mentioned that the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advise against traveling on the Milwaukee River in Washington County. This was apparently the third time the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to the Milwaukee River to help people in distress in the past ten days.

Heavy rain was reported to cause dangerous and fast-moving water conditions.

With recent heavy rainfall causing dangerously high water conditions and the large number of downed trees, the river has become dangerous for traffic. This incident was the third time the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to the Milwaukee River to help citizens in distress in the past 10 days.

Washington County Sheriff's Office on Facebook

No additional information was provided.