Category Archives: Water

Rafting, Water

Missing man found safe at home after Sunday river revelry

A man reported missing this morning after becoming separated from friends during Sunday’s “Rafting Gone Wild” event on the American River has been located at his home.

Sacramento County law enforcement officials are still totaling up the numbers of arrests and citations as a result of the social media-spawned event, and parks officials launched but later called off a search today after receiving a missing person report.

John Havicon, ranger supervisor for Sacramento County Regional Parks, said rangers received a call this morning regarding a 28-year-old Roseville man who became separated from friends Sunday on Gilligan’s Island near Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova and had not been heard from since. Havicon said he reached the man today at his home. The man said he became separated and made his way home on his own.

The event, which officials estimate drew 3,000 to 6,000 people to the stretch of the American River between Sunrise Boulevard and River Bend Park, was organized largely via Facebook and other social media. It was through monitoring social media that parks officials and law enforcement officials became aware of it and were able to beef up staffing in anticipation of the crowds.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Video, Water

VIDEO: Social Media spurs “Rafting Gone Wild” event on American River

It was a calm start but things got a bit rowdy for “Rafting Gone Wild.” Toward the end of the day, firefighters treated one woman hurt from mud-wrestling. Firefighters say one man was rescued from the water who’d apparently consumed too much alcohol and may have been suffering from severe hypothermia.

By the end of the day, a Sacramento County Sheriff’s helicopter helped clear people out of Riverbend Park as deputies and Rancho Cordova Police managed crowd control and broke up several fights.

Katie Kennedy of Concord heard about the event on Facebook and said it became a “must do” event for many young people from as far away as San Jose. “Mud Island always calls for a little bit of mud wrestling. It’s just the way it is. Lotta girls wanna get in on it. Kind of the place to be at the time,” she said, referring to so-called Gilligan’s Island along the river where hundreds of kids gathered to party and even mud wrestle.

More at News10.net >>>

safety, Water

Kayaker airlifted from American River

A New Hampshire man is in serious condition after he was airlifted during a night rescue from the American River.

News of the Tuesday night rescue was released Thursday afternoon by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, the sheriff’s air support unit was dispatched to a remote area of the American River near Health Springs in the Tahoe National Forest to rescue a kayaker.

Nathan Warren, 27, reportedly landed wrong after a drop from a 30-foot waterfall and “severely injured his back,” according to Lt. Mark Reed with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

“This section of the American River is very remote but attracts extreme kayakers because of its rapids and waterfalls,” Reed said.

More at rosevillept.com >>>

safety, Water

Volunteers needed to educate public about American River, Folsom Dam

Volunteers are needed to help educate the public about the American River watershed and Folsom Dam.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the dam, seeks volunteers to work at the American River Water Education Center, an exhibit facility and drought-tolerant garden located near the dam in Folsom.

The center at 7785 Folsom-Auburn Road exists to increase public knowledge about the American River watershed, the water cycle, conservation, water management, and the history and operation of Folsom Dam. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to greet visitors, answer questions, guide school groups, and help maintain the garden. An interview and background investigation are required. An orientation is planned in August for new volunteers, followed by 60 days of on-the-job training.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

Dumped stolen car discovered downstream of Ancil Hoffman Park

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A stolen car apparently was recently driven into the American River near Ancil Hoffman Park earlier this month, officials reported.

Once it was in the water, park rangers think it was swept downstream about a mile by abnormally high summer river flows.

Sacramento County Park Ranger John Havicon said the car was stolen from an owner in Gold River. The vehicle was then apparently driven into the river at the Rossmoor Bar boat ramp.

It floated downstream when the river was roaring to a point where Rancho Cordova is on one side of the river and Ancil Hoffman Park on the other. Havicon said the car was spotted in the river around July 1.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Video, Water

VIDEO: Alcohol ban = fewer rescues on American River

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A series of dramatic river rescues about 10 days ago may have set the tone for the 4th of July holiday weekend.  Some avoided rivers like the American because of the dangers.  But an alcohol ban approved by the State Legislature is getting most of the credit for taking the sizzle out of the 4th..

The loud sounds of a helicopter could be heard moving up and down the American River on Monday.  But it’s what you couldn’t see or hear that made the most striking difference: there was less alcohol on the river.  25-year-old Elizabeth Depelteau was struck by the change.  ”They would get really wasted and everybody would fight and mud wrestle and do all those kinds of things.  It was really scary.”

But there are tradeoffs. Patrol boats from the Sacramento Metro Fire Department gave FOX40’s John Lobertini a front row seat to the cold, fast moving water.  Dam releases from Folsom Lake have slowed, but the river is still moving at double its normal speed.  It’s cold too, a dangerous 52 degrees says Assistant Fire Chief Scott Cockrum.  ”Again, it’s a 50 degree temperature difference between the outside ambient temperature and the water.  It just shocks your body and takes your breath away from you.”

More at fox40.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

2011 most dangerous year for river rescues

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Double trouble on Northern California waterways.  The water is fast, it’s extremely cold and there aren’t enough cops to police all the potential problems.  And, the dangers may be far worse than most people realize.

According to the California Department of Boating and Waterways more people have been killed in swift water river accidents in the first 6 months of 2011 than any other period on record.

More at fox40.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

Flow reduced on American River

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People trying to stay cool in the American River this weekend will enjoy a less treacherous flow of water, after weeks of extremely rapid flow created by fast-melting Sierra snow that accumulated during an unusually long winter.

On Saturday, the Bureau of Reclamation reduced water releases from the Nimbus Dam from 11,000 cubic feet per second to 6,000 for the holiday weekend. The amount will be increased on Monday evening, said Randy Lewis, a park ranger in Rancho Cordova who was talking to boaters at the Sunrise Bridge access point to the river.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

Officials urge safety around swift, cold river waters

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With the forecast for toasty temperatures in the triple digits, area lakes and rivers are expected to draw Independence Day crowds. But public safety officials warn that rivers are flowing swifter and higher than usual for the July 4 weekend.

The California Department of Boating and Waterways predicts that this will be a dangerous summer for water enthusiasts. Officials reported that more boaters have died in swift-water river accidents in the first six months of 2011 than during any comparable period on record.

Rivers are running faster and colder than usual, and lakes are higher, masking underwater hazards that were exposed in previous years, Lucia Becerra, acting director of the Department of Boating and Waterways, said in a written statement.

One of the biggest safety concerns, officials said, is the use of flotation devices, such as lightweight rafts which typically are designed for swimming pools or calm waters. They warn that these devices can easily lose air or be punctured by debris or tree branches, and should not be used during this period of high, swift and cold water conditions.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Events, Water

Folsom Lake jam packed for Fourth Of July weekend

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Hundreds of boaters and campers were expected to pack Folsom Lake this Fourth of July weekend. Beals Point campground was already full as of Saturday morning. Some campers said they had to make reservations months in advance. Campers said it’s no doubt going to be chaotic when all the boats get in the water at the same time. Park rangers suggest drivers get to the park by noon to get a parking spot.

More at KCRA.com >>>