SYRCL and Safety Officials Say Yuba River Not Yet Safe for Swimming

Nevada City, CA—The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), Nevada County, State Parks and a host of additional government agencies and public safety officials who make up the Yuba River Safety Cohort advise that the Yuba River is flowing too swiftly and is too cold to be safe for swimming. With the forecast predicting warm weather in the coming days, this group urges the public to make the responsible choice and stay out of the water.

Most drownings occur in the spring when rivers are running cold and fast and the weather is warm. These tragedies are completely preventable by staying out of the water during spring runoff.  Nevada County does not have enough public safety personnel to monitor this highly dangerous situation. Don’t put yourself—or our public safety personnel and rescue volunteers—at risk.

Additionally, unprecedented numbers of people are utilizing river access points, despite the closures of parking lots and other infrastructure due to the COVID-19 crisis. While trails are not closed to local use, legal access isn’t available for those arriving by car. Be advised, trails in the Yuba River canyon are narrow and do not allow for mandated social distancing when needed.

Especially during these unprecedented times, personal responsibility impacts more than just one person. Keep safe at the river and reduce community exposure to COVID-19 and unnecessary strain on medical resources and first responders.

About the Yuba River Safety Cohort: Made up of County supervisors and staff, local and regional fire protection districts, law enforcement, state and federal agencies, local NGOs, and community representatives, the Yuba River Safety Cohort has been collaborating for four years in an effort to address public safety issues within the South Yuba River canyon such as access, fire prevention, stewardship, and responsible use.