After a winter flood, California’s rivers are too dangerous to enjoy

“During Covid, a lot of people sought out the outdoors,” said Mike Howard, the superintendent of the Auburn State Recreation Area, which encompasses two forks of the American River about 35 miles northeast of Sacramento. “But since they come to their favorite spot in June or on the 4th of July, where last year was relatively safe swimming, this year will be very different.”

At least three people have drowned on the American River so far this year. Mr Howard said the state recreation area now has fast water rescuers in some areas, but the currents are too unsafe to swim after a visitor in distress.

“We are very focused on prevention,” he said.

In Fresno County, when water levels rose in March, officials closed the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers to all but professional rafting companies and threatened violators with $225 fines. Tony Botti, a spokesman for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, said compliance was high.

“Unfortunately, the tragedy of losing two children has really shaken them up,” Mr Botti said. “It’s life over recreation.”

On Friday, Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni announced his office would reopen the San Joaquin River due to lower water levels, but the Kings remained closed.

The Kern River has a reputation like a dashing beauty – an enticing playground for rafters and kayakers (the north fork is one of the steepest whitewater rivers in North America) but potentially treacherous to those who can’t resist.

Mothers in Bakersfield forbid their kids to dive in or they’ll be wiped out. Merle Haggard, the region’s foremost troubadour, swore in song that he “never swim Kern River againafter a lover drowned in its waters. A famous sign at the mouth of a winding road through a ravine to campgrounds and Kernville, an Old West town that serves as a base for river recreation, shows a grim count: “325 LIVES LOST SINCE 1968.”