With some hot temperatures coming this week to Okotoks the Sheep River could be a tempting place to be but there could be some serious safety risks on it still from this year's run off.

Okotoks Fire Chief Ken ThevenotThe Okotoks Fire Department is putting out a warning to residents that taking a dip should be avoided for the time being.

Fire Chief Ken Thevenot says the river is unpredictable on what hazards are out on the water.

"People who are down by the river be careful the water has come up and is flowing a bit faster so be careful around the banks and I would say stay away from it because of the faster flow rate," he says.

Thevenot says when the department was out on the river looking for a missing person in the area last week that the Sheep gave even their strongest asset troubles.

 "It can be very deceiving with the flow rates in the river even with our boat it was deceiving for our team going through a few of the areas that when they come back from being on the Sheep with our jet boat there is a lot of power in it and they even said it was a bit concerning in certain areas that the flows looked like they were going one way and they reacted in a different way."

Thevenot says if you do get caught in a strong river flow you can help yourself get back to the river bank safely in a few ways.

"Try to go feet first if you're flowing down there put your back into the current but try to get your feet ahead of you so you can steer yourself from any debris if there is any and you can kick yourself or kick away debris coming your way."

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com