As Search Continues for Missing Teens, Warning Issued About Water Safety

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The search continues for two teens who have been missing since going swimming in the Farmington River in Avon last week and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is warning people to use caution when using bodies of water in Connecticut for recreation.

They warn that water levels will remain high this week and dangerous conditions should be expected.  

On Thursday night, 17-year-old Anthony Nagore and 15-year-old Lucas Brewer were reported missing after going swimming in the river earlier in the day and DEEP Environmental Conservation Police are continuing a land-based search for them.

Whitney Southall/NBC CT/State Police
15-year-old Lucas Brewer and 17-year-old Anthony Nagore were reported missing after going into the Farmington River in Avon on Thursday.

Police suspended the search for two teens missing in the Farmington River Friday afternoon, but planned on continuing the search Saturday morning.

Anyone who was planning on heading to the Farmington River today is urged to be cautious. Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police warn that currents will be strong even though the water looks calm.

EnCon police warn that rivers can be deceiving and appear to be calm while in reality, they have very strong undercurrents.

DEEP met Monday with the Army Corps of Engineers, who they said will be releasing water from the Colebrook Reservoir.

They warn that water levels in the reservoir are dangerously high, and to prevent an overflow of the dam, water must be released into the Farmington River.

Depending on water conditions, the release may allow for the dam to be drawn down on Friday, reducing the water into the river and lowering water levels enough to facilitate a search in the water on Saturday, DEEP said.

EnCon will re-evaluate water levels on Friday to determine the feasibility of another recovery operation on Saturday. 

They said DEEP EnCon expects to continue land-based searches until then, with EnCon officers patrolling the shorelines.    

EnCon police warn anyone planning to recreate on the river to use extreme caution.

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