Police say a 31-year-old Monroe man was seen walking across the Stevenson Dam before going over the edge and into the Housatonic River Monday.

Police and fire responders from Monroe and Oxford arrived at the dam around 3:15 p.m. Monday after a fisherman called them about a person in distress.

"It's a big recreational area," said Monroe Police Chief Keith White. The Stevenson Dam connects Monroe and Oxford. There is boating and swimming on Lake Zoar and fishing on the Housatonic River. The water in the river can be very dangerous when the dam is generating power with its massive turbines.

"And when it's running, it's very turbulent. It's a very fast-moving current throughout the area," said White.

Monroe police say a man went over the dam Monday and into that current. They say a camera submerged in the river confirmed a body under the water at the base of the dam. Dive teams recovered the body, and it was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Police say the water in the river can rise fast. They encourage safety and awareness. "It's always best to know what's going on, take precautions and just be aware of your surroundings," said White.

The dam also sounds a warning siren 15 minutes before it starts generating power. Police are still investigating and talking to the man's family to determine if this was an accident.