DENVER (KDVR) -- Search and rescue teams earlier this week saved a girl on the Poudre River after she got lost from her dad while he was fishing, according to the Poudre Fire Authority.

This all happened on Monday afternoon near Gateway Natural Area, an area owned by the city of Fort Collins in the Cache La Poudre Canyon, where the North Fork of the Poudre River joins the main Poudre River. Crews went to the area just after 5:30 p.m. after receiving a call that the girl was missing after exploring the area.

A park ranger found the girl safe on the far side of the river, and responders used a boat to get everyone back to the near shore. Poudre Fire Authority swiftwater technicians entered the fast-moving river and swam to meet the girl and her father, then used the boat to bring them back.

They were both evaluated by an ambulance as a precaution.

"The Poudre River is a beautiful place for recreation, but it is also extremely dangerous this time of year," officials said in a Facebook post.

Poudre Fire Authority offered a few suggestions for people planning river recreation this season:

• Wear a life jacket when recreating both on AND near water. Even a small trip or fall can lead to a bad situation near water.
• Crawl, rather than walk, to exit water with a rocky bottom or shore since it is easy to twist an ankle or get a foot stuck in the rocks.
• Make sure someone knows your location and estimated return time.

Other rivers in Colorado are also experiencing a dangerous season, with Clear Creek near Golden recently restricting some water activities due to water levels from mountain snow runoff.