Want to enjoy the weekend heat but not in Boise’s ‘dangerous’ rivers? Here are some spots
As the Treasure Valley prepares for its first heatwave of the year this weekend, many people may be looking for cool spots to hang out and escape the heat.
The Boise River float season will likely open later this month, and with many of Boise’s bodies of water dangerous to swim in right now, what options do people have to stay cool?
Cold water options
If you’re adamant about getting in the water, the City of Boise has opened Quinn’s Pond and Esther Simplot Park’s ponds for swimming. However, it’s important to note how cold each pond could be.
The United States Geological Survey measures water temperatures along the Boise River; the closest measuring point to Boise is in Caldwell, where a temperature of 60 degrees was recorded on Wednesday afternoon.
Although neither Quinn’s Pond nor Esther Simplot Park’s ponds share water with the Boise River, temperatures will remain chilly in the ponds until later this month. Water temperatures of 60 degrees or lower can cause cold shock and result in swimming failure and drowning, while temperatures under 64 degrees can still cause hypothermia to set in quickly.
The city also notes that no lifeguards are stationed at the ponds.
Similar outcomes could occur from entering the rivers surrounding Boise. Although the Boise and Payette Rivers can be accessed for recreational purposes, fast-flowing water also poses a risk.
Three people already died from drowning along the Payette River between May 24-31 alone this year.
Pools around Boise
If you don’t want to risk the chance of hypothermia and its related consequences, Boise has multiple outdoor public pools. Here’s where you can find them:
Natatorium Pool and Hydrotube - 1811 E. Warm Springs Ave.
Ivywild Pool - 2250 S. Leadville Ave.
Borah Pool - 901 Aurora Drive
Fairmont Pool - 7929 W Northview St.
Boise City Aquatics Center (indoor) - 5959 N. Discovery Way
South Pool - 921 S. Shoshone St.
Lowell Pool - 1601 N. 28th St.
Check if your local pool has opened yet. Some pools may open for the summer later than others.
Cooling stations
As the hottest months of the year quickly dawn, the homelessness services group Our Path Home partners with the City of Boise to provide welcoming spaces that offer a cool spot to relax during the heat of the day.
Our Path Home’s primary focus is on the homeless community, but the organization’s website states that the cooling spaces are open to anyone.
The following map shows the locations around Boise that offer cooling spaces:
Downtown Boise YMCA - 1050 W. State St.
Interfaith Sanctuary - 1620 W. River St.
Corpus Christi House - 525 S. Americana Blvd.
Multiple City of Boise libraries
