Now that warmer weather has arrived in Northern California,
recreational water activities will increase. Please remember
that the water temperatures during the spring season in
reservoirs and rivers are in the 40s and 50s, which is extremely
cold.
The cold water temperatures are caused by melting snow
at higher elevations. Anyone caught in the cold water unprepared
can quickly experience hypothermia. Hypothermia is a sudden
loss of body temperature that can be fatal. Warning signs
for hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory
loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness,
and apparent exhaustion.
Also, the melting snow will cause relatively fast flows
for many area rivers and streams. Even though these flows
may appear lower than previous years, they are still strong,
swift, and potentially dangerous.
Recreationalists on area rivers and streams should take
great care in or near the water and remember to monitor
children closely.
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