The effects of the winter storms continue to be felt in the Central Valley, as high water levels, faster-than-normal currents and low water temperatures have caused dangerous conditions on the area’s rivers.
The Kings and San Joaquin rivers have been closed to recreational users in Fresno County since March 14, with no timeline for reopening, according to Tony Botti, public information officer with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
“Water levels are being monitored on a daily basis and a decision to reopen the rivers will be made once these extraordinary dangerous conditions improve,” he said.
At last check, the San Joaquin River was flowing at 9,400 cubic feet per second with a water temperature of 54 degrees. The Kings River is fast and colder, moving at 12,900 cubic feet per second at 53 degrees.
Those caught accessing either river will be issued a minimum $250 infraction for “unauthorized entry to an area closed for emergency purposes.”
Since March, FCSO has issued seven citations in two separate incidents, including one in which the Fresno Fire Department rescued two people and a dog as they kayaked in the San Joaquin River.
These were experienced kayakers; Botti said one of them told deputies, “the water is crazy out there right now.”
“The conditions of our waterways will only become more dangerous in the coming months as snow melts and dams release even more water into the rivers,” Botti said.
The river ways are also being patrolled in Tulare County, where two people reportedly drowned this month, one in the Tule River and one in the Kaweah River. As of Friday, both people were still missing, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
Both rivers, along with the Kern, Kings and St. Johns rivers remain closed for swimming, floating or wading into the water. Tulare County officials are actively monitoring the water flows and will reopen the rivers as soon as possible, the sheriff’s office said.
Commercial river outfitters, experienced kayakers and river runners are still being allowed on the Kaweah and Kern rivers.
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said there are safer options this year, such as Lake Kaweah, Lake Success, or local community pools. He also encourages the use of a personal flotation devices any time children and those who don’t know how to swim are in or around water.
