Describe the crossing
Describe the crossing.
What this solves
New Zealand has more river-crossing fatalities per tramp-hour than almost any other country. Most accidents happen in the South Island's West Coast or high-country river systems, where fast cold rivers can sweep even strong swimmers in waist-deep flow. The James Fisher scoring system is widely used in NZ SAR and DOC training to decide whether to cross or back off.
This tool applies a 0–10 score and gives you a clear go/no-go signal with reasons. It does not capture everything — exposed branches, hidden holes, snags — but covers the main factors that determine whether a crossing is in or out of bounds.
How to read the result
- 0–3 — straightforward, group crosses individually.
- 4–6 — unclip pack, cross as a team, plan for a slip.
- 7–8 — high risk, only experienced groups should consider; consider waiting 6–12 h.
- 9–10 — do not cross; wait for water to drop or turn back.
Limitations
- Does not replace eye-hitting and a real lay of land. Look up and downstream.
- Local knowledge matters — some rivers have hidden hydraulics.
FAQ
Q: When should I never cross?
A: When the water is rising, when you can't see the bottom, when there's debris in the flow, or when you're alone.
A: When the water is rising, when you can't see the bottom, when there's debris in the flow, or when you're alone.
Q: How long after rain does a river drop?
A: Small rivers drop within 6 h; large rivers (e.g. Waiho / Franz Josef) can stay high for 24+ h.
A: Small rivers drop within 6 h; large rivers (e.g. Waiho / Franz Josef) can stay high for 24+ h.
Q: Can I cross wearing boots?
A: Yes — but unlace the top two eyelets for fast removal if you slip.
A: Yes — but unlace the top two eyelets for fast removal if you slip.
Sources
- Land Search and Rescue NZ — River Crossing Guidance
- DOC Safety in the outdoors