With warm weather bringing more visitors to the South Yuba River, Nevada County officials are again reminding residents and visitors that high flows, swift currents, and cold temperatures are creating hazardous—and sometimes fatal—conditions.
This year, four swift water rescues have already been performed by the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District, and the season is only just beginning.
“Our Yuba River is a spectacular treasure, but it demands our respect,” said Supervisor Sue Hoek, who chairs the South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort. “A single misstep can turn a day of fun into a tragedy. We are asking everyone to make smart choices and stay safe this summer.”
The South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort urges the public to stay out of the river during the snow-melt runoff and to educate themselves and others about river safety. Visit the ‘Recreation Safety’ playlist on the County of Nevada’s YouTube Channel at www.nevadacountyca.gov/RecSafety.
“The volume and force of the water right now can easily overwhelm even strong swimmers,” said Nevada County Consolidated Fire District Chief Jason Robitaille. “We want people to enjoy our area, but safely—and that means staying out of the river.”
Current flows are estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 cubic feet per second, which are considered dangerous. To put it into perspective, 2,000 cubic feet per second is equal to 14,960 gallons per second.
Those who do visit the river corridor should remember:
- Cell service is limited to non-existent in many areas.
- Emergency response times can range from 15 to 45 minutes.
- Call boxes are available at Purdon Crossing, Edwards Crossing, Highway 49 or Hoyt Crossing, Maybert Road Bridge, and Bridgeport.
- Parking only in designated areas is critical to ensure emergency access.
Volunteer as a Yuba River Ambassador
The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) River Ambassadors will be at Bridgeport and Highway 49 River Crossings from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Using a friendly, non-confrontational approach, SYRCL’s River Ambassadors foster an ethic of responsible, non-polluting use of the river by engaging visitors directly at crossings, beaches, and trails.
Learn more or sign up to be a River Ambassador at www.YubaRiver.org or contact Caitlin Martin at (530) 265-5961 ext. 212 or CaitlinM@yubariver.org.
About the South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort
The South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort is a multi-agency collaboration that coordinates public safety and stewardship efforts along the highly visited South Yuba River corridor, which welcomes approximately 800,000 visitors annually. Learn more at www.NevadaCountyCA.gov/SouthYubaSafety.
