Cold, Fast Rivers May Surprise Swimmers
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The weather is finally showing some signs of summer, but even though temperatures are climbing high, local waterways are running much colder and faster than many swimmers expect.
Officials said local rivers have much higher water lines thanks to large amount of late snow that fell in the Sierra over the past month and a frigid chill that can prove dangerous for the unprepared.
The water in the American River was recorded Sunday at 54 degrees, about 7 or 8 degrees below average.
Fire officials warned a number of people on the American River to wear lifejackets and avoid rafting down the river.
"Instead of running at about 6 or 7 feet it's running up at 9 or 10 feet. That's three times the rate of flow," said Sacramento Metro Assistant Fire Chief Scott Cockrum. "They're coming out here with inflatable rafts you buy at Wal-Mart. You can't come out here with that."
At least two of the river raft companies that work on the American River told CBS13 they are not renting out rafts due to the high rivers.
Signs posted around some of the major gathering points along the river warned visitors to swim at their own risk.
