NORFOLK - As temperatures continue to warm up across the state, more and more people are enjoying the Nebraska outdoors. One Summer go-to is kayaking or tubing down local rivers, but a wet Spring has paired with record flooding to change the course of many rivers, adding a whole new set of problems.

Norfolk Director of Public Safety Shane Weidner says, "It's like a completely new river system for even experienced kayakers or tubers that have been down several times, you are dealing with a new set of circumstances each and every time."

Some of these issues include changes to the depths and trajectories of river channels and additional debris in spots that have historically been clear. Rescue crews in Norfolk have already had multiple rescue calls this year, and encourage kayakers to follow the standard safety tips of wearing a life jacket and using the buddy system, while also recommending residents check river levels before entering the water.

"You have to keep in mind that the river can change quickly. It can rain, a little micro burst in town can affect the river... from day to day it changes, so you always want to be aware of your circumstances."

Officials say to avoid water levels over 4 feet on the Elkhorn River, and anything above 3 and a half feet on the North Fork, but Director of Public Safety Shane Weidner says the biggest issue on the North Fork is a low head dam that looks attractive and lazy, but poses a major threat to safety.

"I do not want anyone to go over those low head dams... at the bottom of the dam there is a turbulence that's created... it's extremely dangerous and deadly" 

Earlier this month Norfolk Rescue teams responded to their second river-related emergency call in just 8 days, with both situations being caused by kayakers getting caught on debris near Ta-Ha-Zouka Park. Fortunately, there were no major injuries or deaths in either of the two rescues.