Why You Should Stay Away from the Foam at Falls Park in Sioux Falls
As winter turns to spring in Sioux Falls, we welcome the return of robins, blooming flowers and yes, the mysterious foam at Falls Park. No matter which entrance you take into the park, you’re greeted by a large yellow warning sign: “KEEP AWAY FROM THE FOAM IN THE RIVER.” But why? What makes the foam at Falls Park so dangerous and what exactly is it?
According to an article from Michigan.gov, river foam is typically caused by the natural decay of aquatic plants. As these plants break down, they release oils that float to the water’s surface. Wind and wave action then push these oils to the shore, where turbulence mixes air into the organically enriched water, creating foam.
So now we know what the foam is, but why is it dangerous? Tragically, there have been multiple deaths linked directly to the foam at Falls Park, including those of children…