Despite Low Water Levels, Risks Still Exist On Local Rivers

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Despite receiving much-needed wet weather in the Sierra, our area rivers are at historic low levels and first responders are stepping up their patrols to keep holiday swimmers and boaters safe.

The rivers are about half what they would be in a normal year, but rafters and children are still being warned on the water.

How are emergency responders keeping them safe?

Kevin Schroder fired up the grill for a good ol' fashion festive Memorial Day barbeque.

"It's just a ritual," said Schroder.

But this year the ritual on river is different.

"She can't go too far. Not even past her knees," said Schroder's wife.

The Schroders are extra cautious.

"…random currents in certain places that'll pull you up," he said.

Currents are surprisingly strong despite record-low river levels. It's a combination that makes for a false sense of safety.

Just this month search and rescue crews recovered the body of a 15-year-old Sacramento boy. Officials say he wasn't wearing his left vest.

"We're asking swimmers to swim in guarded water," said Mike Howard, a ranger with California State Parks.

Lifeguards are on patrolling up and down the rivers. Life vest stations are hard to miss. One at Gilligan's Island is so helpful to the Schroders, Kevin decided to donate his own life vest.

"We take some of the ones that are old and we can't fit anymore and we leave them up there," he said.

From swimmers to rafters to boaters, a new warning is going out.

"There's more hazards than usual," Howard.

The drought means underwater hazards are closer to the surface. Rangers ask everyone to be aware of uneven surfaces, dams, rocks, or cold water.

Most are marked, but many are not.

They also remind people that alcohol is banned on the water.