If you’ve lived in Bismarck-Mandan for a while, you’ve probably been told that the Missouri River can be a treacherous place to swim. There are dangerous undercurrents and other such hazards like this whirlpool I spotted today. The way this picture is framed, it’s hard to determine the size of the funnel. It was several feet across, easily large enough to cause serious problems for a swimmer.

This nasty trap was situated on the Mandan side of the river, north of the Grant Marsh Bridge. It’s not in an area where I’d expect to find swimmers, but you never know. I’d certainly hate to fall in while fishing from the shore or fall out of a boat nearby.

So, consider yourself warned: the Missouri River can be hazardous. Please use at your own risk!