California rivers running fast, cold, deep. Here’s how to stay safe
Spring is in full swing, with warm weather providing prime conditions for enjoying the outdoors in California. But it also brings safety concerns. Warm temperatures and an above-average snowpack can combine to produce deadly incidents on the state’s rivers and streams. Recent flows are fueled by meltwater from California’s snowpack, which was just above average on April 1. While flood risk is generally lower than with last year’s 2023’s behemoth snowpack, there are still safety concerns this year. “The peak snowmelt season is April, May, June,” said Andy Reising, manager of the snow surveys and water supply forecasting unit of the California Department of Water Resources. … Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke closed access to the Merced and San Joaquin rivers Monday, following recent deadly incidents.