Rivers account for more than a quarter of all drowning deaths in Australia, making them the leading location for fatalities, according to the Royal Life Saving Society's latest research.
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ACT executive director of the organisation Cherry O'Connor said many of the tragedies were preventable, with alcohol involved in 46 per cent of the region's inland waterway drowning deaths.
"Although our rivers are beautiful, more people drown in rivers than anywhere else," Ms O'Connor said.
"The dangers are often lurking below the surface; you simply can't see ice cold water, snags like tree branches or strong currents but they can be lethal."
Inland waterways such as rivers, creeks, lakes and dams have claimed the lives of 13 people in Canberra since July 1, 2002, with 92 per cent of the victims being male.
National statistics show almost 1000 people have died in Australian rivers in that time.
Contrary to popular perceptions, the society's National Drowning Report 2014/2015 reported 72 deaths in rivers, creeks, lakes and dams, as opposed to 55 at beaches.
To help raise public awareness, Sussan Ley MP, the Minister for Sport and Minister for Health, is launching the "Respect the River" campaign on the banks of the Murray River in Albury on Sunday.
While the Murray has been cited as the top drowning black spot, the Murrumbidgee River is listed as number six.
James Overall, acting senior ranger with the ACT Parks and Conservation service, has witnessed the river's recreational visitors putting themselves in dangerous situations.
"I've seen some near-misses with the rope swings," he said.
"People get carried away and egg each other on."
As one of the custodians of the Murrumbidgee River Corridor, he said he had "a responsibility to make the areas as safe as possible, within reason".
Mr Overall stressed the need for people not to be complacent and to heed the warning signs.
"A river is a natural and dynamic system," he said, adding it could look "sedate" yet carry surprises and things it was impossible to control.
"What lies beneath the water is anybody's guess: rocks, logs, beer bottles."
He urged the thousands of water-lovers who flock to the river in the warmer months to respect the river and look after the environment.
The Royal Life Saving Society is asking people to follow four steps to reduce the risks of drowning in rivers.
"Wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol around water, never swim alone and learn how to save a life," Ms O'Connor said.
For more information, visit www.royallifesaving.com.au/respecttheriver.
