Stay Safe at the River: SYRCL’s River Ambassadors Are Here to Help 

As the South Yuba River draws thousands of visitors during the peak summer season, safety becomes an important issue for both river-goers and the surrounding community. Now in its 14th year, the South Yuba River Citizens League’s (SYRCL) River Ambassadors program plays a critical role in keeping people informed, prepared, and safe. 

Working in partnership with California State Parks, SYRCL’s trained River Ambassadors use a friendly, non-confrontational approach to engage with visitors about essential topics: 

• River safety and accident prevention 
• The extreme fire danger of this dry season 
• The public health risks of trash and dog waste
• The threat of broken glass and cigarette butts in dry brush 

As July 4th weekend approaches, a time when our river crossings traditionally see an increase in visitors, the need for safety awareness and responsible behavior is more urgent than ever. Even though flows have decreased since the start of the season and the water appears less raging in some spots, the river is still flowing fast. There are dangers you cannot see under the surface and a variety of visible hazards as well.  

“People don’t always realize how quickly a fun day at the river can turn dangerous,” says Daniel Elkin, SYRCL’s Communications and Engagement Director. “Fast-moving water, slippery rocks, broken glass, and extreme fire danger all increase the risk of accidents and emergencies. Visitors should be extra careful as cell phone service is nearly non-existent at the river and emergency response will take a lot longer.” 

Since the unofficial start of “River Season” on Memorial Day weekend, SYRCL’s River Ambassadors have been stationed every weekend from 10am–2pm at Highway 49 and Bridgeport Crossings, two of the river’s most popular access points. Their mission: to talk directly with visitors, promote safe behavior, and help prevent avoidable accidents. 

What We’re Seeing This Season 

From Memorial Day through mid-June, River Ambassadors have: 

• Counted 5,746 visitors (compared with 7,648 visitors last year) 
• Interacted with 1,830 (compared to 1,634 visitors last year) 

Of those 1,830 visitors

• First-time visitors: 381 (compared to 353) 
• Locals: 392 (compared with 440) 
• Out-of-town visitors: 1,034 (compared with 1,194) 
• Sacramento: 251 (329) 
• Bay Area: 383 (490) 
• Southern California: 66 (97) 

These data shows what we already know: the South Yuba River is a major destination, attracting people from all over California and beyond. 

And with so many people visiting each weekend, risks increase dramatically: 

• Parking lots are full by 10:30am on most weekends. Illegal parking remains an issue as it hampers emergency access  
• River currents remain deceptively strong, even late into summer 
• Campfires and smoking are strictly prohibited, yet visitors still bring their BBQs and cigarette butts continue to show up in dry vegetation 

What River Ambassadors Are Doing 

River Ambassadors don’t just provide safety information, they take direct action to keep the river and its visitors safe: 

• Removed 795 pieces of trash (compared to 2,255 last year), including 91 cigarette butts (419 last year) 
• Picked up 45 piles of dog poop (48 last year) to prevent water contamination 
• Counted 359 dogs (505 last year) — some of them off leash, despite posted rules 
• Spoke with 139 Spanish-speaking visitors (108 last year) to interpret safety at the river 
• Encouraged visitors to carry out what they pack in and leave no trace 

“Every cigarette butt in dry grass is a fire waiting to happen. Every pile of dog waste threatens the health of swimmers downstream. And every ill-prepared visitor increases the risk of emergency rescues,” adds Elkin. “That’s why SYRCL’s River Ambassadors are out there, because a safer river benefits everyone.” 

Heading to the River? Here’s What You Need to Know: 

• Arrive early — parking fills up fast 
• Wear proper footwear — slippery rocks cause serious injuries 
• Know your limits — do not enter fast-moving water 
• No alcohol, no glass, no fires — these rules protect us all 
• Pack it in, pack it out — trash, dog poop, and cigarette butts included 
• Keep dogs leashed at all times 
• Listen to Ambassadors — they’re here to keep you informed and safe 

SYRCL’s River Ambassadors are your on-the-ground resource for river safety, environmental stewardship, and community protection. As we move into one of the busiest weekends of the summer, please treat the South Yuba River with the respect it deserves and help keep it safe for everyone. 

SYRCL would like to thank the California State Parks Foundation for their support of this critical program.