April 29, 2023 - Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report on the dangers of high water levels and hazardous conditions on the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers.

We have a hot weekend ahead, but the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers are NOT safe places to cool off. The water is extremely cold, around 50°, and the current is dangerously strong. No matter how experienced of a swimmer, rafter, kayaker, etc. you are, these conditions can easily kill you.

In response to heavy winter storms creating high water levels and hazardous conditions on the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office issued a closure of these rivers to recreational users on March 14^th, 2023. Sheriff John Zanoni put this order in place by utilizing Fresno County Ordinance 13.32.080, which serves in the best interest of public safety. Anyone accessing the rivers are considered to be in violation of Penal Code 409.5(c), unauthorized entry to an area closed for emergency purposes. This infraction comes with a minimum fine of $225.00.

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. There is no timetable of when rivers will be reopened for recreational use. Water levels are being monitored on a daily basis and a decision to reopen the rivers will be made once these extraordinarily dangerous conditions improve.

View video here.

Source: Fresno County Sheriff's Office