Thanks for the tips Jason! I appreciate the input.

Very good advice from you all the way around! I do, however, strongly disagree with the first part of the following:

"Your balance will be better facing upstream and you won’t have to fight the current as much if you walk at a slight angle downstream."

Unless the river or stream is knee-high or less, and you feel only slight force from the current doing a test evaluation, facing upstream in any other situation is dangerous for many reasons. The #1 is that you won’t be able to see and navigate hazards in the river behind you. #2 is that the current will inevitably push you downstream – if you’re facing upstream you could catch a heel or stumble quite easily. You need to be able to see as much as possible, or feel in front of you. #3, if you’re facing upstream, you’re feet aren’t going to travel in a natural movement across the river. You’ll be sidestepping or shuffling. No bueno.

The safest approach during high water (above the knees and higher), or with a strong current, is to cross at a 90 degree angle (perpendicular), to the river. Perhaps even turn a degree or so down stream. Then, as Dave correctly suggests, travel in a slight down stream direction. Pick a location across the river that’s slightly downstream and use that as a guide. USE your poles! Look for each next pole placement, test it, stick it, and then do the same for each stride: find a big rock, depression, solid spot to aim for and do it. Repeat. In strong currents you may find yourself squatting a bit – this means the water is even higher up on your body. You may have to lean back into the current a bit.

Most importantly: if you feel uncomfortable, or feelings of panic -STOP. It’s not worth it. Don’t talk yourself – or let anyone talk you into "going for it." Listen to yourself and your risk threshold and use your head.