Updated 5/30/2017
The search for the body of a man who fell out of a boat into the Des Moines River has been suspended. It could be days before he is found.
"Anything close to a low head dam, or any dam where there's boiling or churning water, we've had challenges in the past where a person may remain submerged for days at a time." Fire Inspector Brian O'Keefe tells WHO Radio News.
He says the man was last seen going under the water near the Scott Street Dam at about 2:00 p.m. on Memorial Day.
"Imagine where the Principal Park ball field is, where the Raccoon River and Des Moines River meet." O'Keefe says.
"Just below that, downstream, is the Scott Street Bridge and there's a low head dam. That is where the gentleman went underwater and did not resurface."
O'Keefe notes that the river level is high and the current is strong because of recent heavy rains.
Original 5/29/2017
The Des Moines water emergency team was called to a point along the Des Moines River at 2 o'clock (Monday afternoon, because of a man fell out of a small boat into the water north of the Scott Street bridge.
Witnesses say a man dislodged a small boat, that had been pinned in the rocks on the east side of the Des Moines River, near a homeless camp. He then put the boat in the water, and floated down river.
Fire Department Spokesman Brian O'keefe says the man fell out of the boat into the water, near an eddy under the Scott Street Bridge.
Witnesses say the man surfaced once and then appeared to have been caught in a boil and went under.
Rescue crews continue to look for the man.
Officials are also asking those at the homeless camp if they know the man's identity.
The boat was pulled out of the river, near the Harriett Street boat ramp.
Brian O'keefe says the river doesn't look that threatening, but water levels are high and conditions are dangerous.
He says safety cables and flotation devices extend across the water, which could be life-saving should someone get into a similar situation while boating along the river.