Tulare County waterways are 'significantly' more dangerous this year. Here's why

Sheyanne N Romero, Visalia Times-Delta
·3 min read
White water of the Kaweah River passes through Slick Rock Recreation Area Monday, May 1, 2023. A search continues for a man last seen Friday when another man and a child were rescued from the river.
White water of the Kaweah River passes through Slick Rock Recreation Area Monday, May 1, 2023. A search continues for a man last seen Friday when another man and a child were rescued from the river.

Tulare County mountains have seen a record-breaking winter season with a Sierra snowpack over 200% of normal for this time of year.

This means that local waterways pose a significant threat to public safety. Federal, state and local agencies, tasked with monitoring open waters in Tulare County, are preparing for a potentially deadly spring and summer season.

"Water levels have risen significantly, and the rivers are running exceptionally fast," Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said. "Because of the large snowpack and snow melt, all of our rivers are significantly more dangerous than in past years. When the weather warms up, our waterways will be at maximum capacity, if not above."

The department has already responded to the first drowning along a Tulare County waterway this year, and deputies say they do not want to see more.

On Friday, local first responders rescued a 7-year-old child and a man stuck on a rock in the middle of Kaweah River at Slick Rock. Another man went missing in the open waters and hasn't been found.

The survivors were treated at a local hospital.

Tulare County deputies responded to a water rescue on Friday, April 28, 2023.
Tulare County deputies responded to a water rescue on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Following the man's disappearance, the U.S. Army Corps closed visitor access to the Cobble Knoll and Slick Rock, at the request of the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.

"The closure is a public safety measure made necessary by current riverbank instability caused by increased Kaweah River flows following historic rainfall and melting snowpack," said Ken Wright, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District public information officer. "The recreation areas will remain closed until conditions are deemed safe for public access."

The Kings River is already closed and Boudreaux expects the closure of Tule River and the St. John’s River to follow. The Tulare County portion of the Kern River will be closed soon as well.

Deputies have posted signage at most of the water recreation areas in Tulare County to alert the public of water dangers and closures. The department's Swift Water Team, along with the Tulare County Fire Department’s Swift Water Team, will train throughout the spring and summer months.

The sheriff's message to residents and visitors is simple:

"Stay away from the river’s edge and don’t enter the water, especially if you do not know how to swim or have been consuming alcohol. When hiking or enjoying the outdoors, be alert and do not let alcohol or any other substance cloud your judgement."

It's not just county waterways that should be avoided.

National Park Service officials have already made a social media post about rivers in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, as drowning is the leading cause of deaths at the parks.

"Many people who drown did not intend to swim and fell in accidentally," park service officials stated. "Don't let children swim or play alone anywhere near rivers. And never swim if you've been drinking alcohol. The river can be tempting when it's hot, but swimming in these conditions is incredibly risky."

Red Cross recommend taking these precautions when you’re around water (even if you’re not planning to swim):

  • Know your limitations, including physical fitness, medical conditions.

  • Never swim alone; swim with lifeguards and/or water watchers present.

  • Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for your weight and size and the water activity. Always wear a life jacket while boating, regardless of swimming skill.

  • Swim sober.

  • Understand the dangers of hyperventilation and hypoxic blackout.

  • Know how to call for help.

  • Understand and adjust for the unique risks of the water environment you are in, such as:

    • River currents.

    • Ocean rip currents.

    • Water temperature.

    • Shallow or unclear water.

    • Underwater hazards, such as vegetation and animals.

White water of the Kaweah River passes a group recreating Monday, May 1, 2023 near Slick Rock Recreation Area above Lake Kaweah. A search continues for a man last seen Friday when another man and a child were rescued from the river.
White water of the Kaweah River passes a group recreating Monday, May 1, 2023 near Slick Rock Recreation Area above Lake Kaweah. A search continues for a man last seen Friday when another man and a child were rescued from the river.
Tulare County Sheriffs Department deputy Adam Muller flies a drone along about 2000 feet of the Near Slick Rock Recreation Area above Lake Kaweah on Monday, May 1, 2023. The search continues for a man last seen Friday when another man and a child were rescued from the river.
Tulare County Sheriffs Department deputy Adam Muller flies a drone along about 2000 feet of the Near Slick Rock Recreation Area above Lake Kaweah on Monday, May 1, 2023. The search continues for a man last seen Friday when another man and a child were rescued from the river.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County waterways 'significantly' more dangerous this year