Category Archives: Water

Rafting, safety, Water

Life jackets to borrow

Because a life jacket that does not fit properly can put a person at risk of drowning, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has a few tips when choosing a life jacket.

• Choose only a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and the correct size for the weight of the person. The U.S.C.G. stamp of approval, size, whether it is for a child or an adult, and appropriate weight of the wearer should be listed inside the jacket. A person’s chest size and stomach size may come into play when selecting the right life jacket.

• Use the “touchdown” test to see if your life jacket fits properly: Lift your arms above your head as if signaling a touchdown. The chest portion of the jacket should not touch your chin when you look left, right or over your shoulder. If the jacket passes this test, it most likely fits. If possible, try it in shallow water. The life jacket should not ride up on your body. However, ride-up may happen if your stomach is larger than your chest.

• Weigh a child and measure for chest size under the arms before shopping for a child’s life jacket. A properly fitting jacket should be snug but not tight.

• Check for proper fit of a life jacket on a child. Wearing the jacket, the child should stand normally with arms at his or her sides. Grab the jacket at the shoulders and firmly lift. The jacket does not fit if it moves more than three inches up and down the child’s body during the test.

• Ensure a life jacket for an infant or child has a crotch strap to help keep the life jacket on, an oversized float collar to help keep the head out of the water and a grab loop for easier water rescue. All straps should be intact and fastened at all times.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Fish, Rafting, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

River flows below Nimbus Dam to decrease for work on fish weir

Flows in the American River below Nimbus Dam will be decreased Tuesday and Wednesday for maintenance and installation of a fish weir structure at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Rancho Cordova.

The federal Bureau of Reclamation announced that flows will be temporarily decreased from 3,500 cubic feet per second to as low as 1,000 cfs to perform maintenance and prepare the hatchery weir foundation for installation of the weir’s super structure.

Working hours will be from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The bureau will increase flows at 4 p.m. Tuesday to 2,500 cfs and at 4 p.m. Wednesday, to 3,500 cfs. If necessary, maintenance flows could extend into Thursday, according to a bureau news release.

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Rafting, safety, Water

Sunday’s “Raftapalooza” much calmer along the American River

The scene on the American River today bore striking similarities to the “Rafting Gone Wild” event of two weeks ago. There were questionable decisions, illegal activities and plenty of booze. What was different? The complete lack of law enforcement.

“I’m an excellent swimmer and all of my friends are, but you might need a couple of them in case for the dumb-dumbs,” said rafter Ian Gilman.

After re-arranging the schedules of already bare bones police and fire agencies, departments said they wouldn’t do the same for this latest Facebook generated event — despite 5,000 people who RSVP’d “yes” to a day of drinking and rafting and 60 swift water river rescues last go round.

At American River Raft Rentals, the influx of customers was steady, but not record-breaking. Missing from the river were the hoards of people, replaced by a more laid-back fun loving atmosphere.

More at FOX40.com >>>

Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, Video, Water

VIDEO: Eppie’s Great Race contestants prepare for Saturday

The 38th Eppie’s Great Race is set for Saturday morning.  The Sacramento-born triathlon features running, bicycling and kayaking.

The race starts with a 5.8 mile run, 12.5 miles on a bicycle, and 6.4 miles racing on the American River in a kayak.

More than 2,000 people participated in 2010.  A similar crowd is expected this year, and registration remains open until 6:30 the morning of the race, near the starting line at the William Pond Recreation area along the American River.

More at News10.net >>>

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.

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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.

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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.

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