40-Year-Old Woman Drowns Paddleboarding Columbia River Viento State Park

A 40-year-old woman tragically drowned after falling off her paddleboard in the Columbia River near Viento State Park, with her body found about 150 yards from shore in 15 feet of water. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Dive Rescue and Recovery Team, responding to a call from the Hood River County Sheriff's Office, deployed seven divers who located her around 10:30 a.m. The woman was not wearing a life jacket, and authorities emphasized that wearing one could have likely saved her life, warning that even strong swimmers can be overwhelmed by cold water. With the Fourth of July weekend approaching and extreme temperatures expected, the sheriff's office urged the public to wear life jackets, swim in pairs, closely monitor children, and avoid alcohol or substances that impair swimming. The woman's identity has not been released, and officials continue to highlight the importance of water safety to prevent similar tragedies. The incident serves as a sobering reminder for recreational water users to prioritize safety measures.