A large machine was in the Animas River Thursday in Durango to make it safer for residents.
John Brennan is with the Animas River Task Force and said a large tree floated down the river last June and dislodged rocks.
It left behind dangerous gaping holes that could trap swimmers.
“They'd get stuffed into that area and we'd never find them,” said Brennan.
Tracy Click often kayaks the Animas River and said it’s not just swimmers who have to watch out for the loose rocks.
“At any second you have to make split second movements in your kayak. And when there's floating debris that just adds an element of risk,” she said.
The city will start cementing large rocks in the Animas River next year.
But even with the cement, projects like this will still happen from time to time.
“The maintenance becomes less. Instead of every 3 to 5 years it might be 5 to 7," said Brennan.