A new report from Life Saving Australia found the risk of drowning doubles on public holidays.

As more people flock to rivers and dams, often to celebrate with a drink, the likelihood of a tragedy occurring increases.

Already this year two celebrations have taken a horrible turn, with Melbourne's Leigh Marshall drowning in Yarrawonga on Australia Day, just weeks after the presumed drowning of Bigul Pandit.

Albury and Border Rescue Squad captain Paul Marshall said each and every drowning has a ripple effect on the community.

And you only need to look at the outpouring of grief which followed each man's death to see that drownings take a terrible toll on families, fellow swimmers who witnessed the incident and rescuers.

Mr Marshall said the Easter break can be a particularly dangerous time of year as people look to lap up the last rays of sun by the river before winter sets in.

But beneath the Murray River's enticing surface lies a myriad of dangers; snags, currents, shockingly cool depths.

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As the water level has dropped in the Upper Murray, snags that would never usually pose a problem have now crept to just below the surface, ready to cause trouble to canoeists.

No one, not regular river swimmers nor Border residents can take their safety for granted in the Murray.

Mr Marshall said people should go out and enjoy themselves in the Murray this weekend but they need to do so responsibly and be careful to make sure they don't become a tragic public holiday statistic.

There are simple steps anyone could and should do to stay safe in the water.

Avoid alcohol, never enter the water alone and wear a life jacket when on any water craft.

We're lucky to live in a region with such a spectacular river, but around water complacency kills.

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