Copper River dip netters stranded on sandbar near Chitina, self-rescue before troopers arrive

A group of dip netters whose boat became stuck on a Copper River sandbar near Chitina self-rescued Friday evening before Alaska State Troopers arrived.

Glennallen Troopers were dispatched to the search and rescue call at approximately 7:06 p.m. on July 17. Additional resources were contacted and troopers were en route when the group self-rescued and returned safely to shore, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety incident log.

Safety Conditions on the Copper River

The Copper River draws large numbers of residents each summer. Its shifting sandbars and strong glacial currents make it a recurring site for accidents. Alaska Outdoors Supersite advises participants to leave waders behind in the canyon: "If you're dipnetting the canyon, it's generally recommended that you avoid wearing waders." The Federal Subsistence Management Program is more direct on the lower river: "No dip-netting is allowed from boats."