QuickTake:

A water rescue was called in before 8:45 p.m. on Friday, June 26, but first responders were not able to revive the swimmer once they were pulled from the water.

A person died after drowning in the Blue Pool along the McKenzie River on Friday, June 26, the Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District said.

Lane County call logs show a water rescue was called in before 8:45 p.m. 

According to the UMRFD Facebook post, the agency was responding to reports “that a swimmer had gone underwater and did not resurface” to Blue Pool at Tamolitch Falls. 

Around three minutes later, first responders were on the scene, and were able to find the swimmer and recover them from the water. 

“Despite the tireless efforts of first responders, the individual could not be revived,” the post reads. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.”

In its Facebook post, the agency also thanked its volunteers “for answering the call and serving our community during these challenging incidents,” and members of the public “who stepped in to help” during the response. 

In the statement, the agency also said that Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Lane County Search and Rescue assisted them on scene. 

Blue Pool, on the McKenzie River off of Highway 126, is a popular spot frequently recommended on social media as a hidden gem of Oregon, beloved for the water’s striking blue color. 

But it is also dangerous. The pool is 30 feet at its deepest, and maintains 37 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures on average. Jumping into the waters from the cliffs, which range from 10 to 60 feet tall, surrounding the pool is a frequent activity for visitors. 

Cold water shock, the physical response to plunging into cold water that causes involuntary gasping and rapid hyperventilation and can lead to drowning, can begin at water temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service guidance on cold water. 

“While it is not against the rules to jump in, people have been severely injured or died at this site in the past,” the Forest Service’s location listing reads. “There is minimal to zero phone reception in the area and it can take hours for emergency responders to arrive.”

In 2023, a proposed swimming ban at Blue Pool from Forest Service officials gained some traction after five people were rescued in three days, but ultimately did not go forward. 

Annie Aguiar is the Arts and Culture Correspondent. She has reported arts news and features for national and local newsrooms, including at the Seattle Times, the Washington Post and most recently as a reporting fellow for the New York Times’ Culture desk covering arts and entertainment.