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The Sequoia National Forest asks you to please recreate responsibly and safely around water.

With warmer temperatures expected over the coming weeks, increasing the snow melt rate and subsequent water flow in on the Sequoia National Forest, forest officials are reminding people to exercise caution when recreating along the many streams, rivers, or lakes in the forest. Significant snowmelt is occurring with warmer temperatures, and streams are running faster and colder than at this time last year. Swimming in flood impacted stream is inherently dangerous.

Water-based recreation safety tips:

• Watch out for slippery rocks and streambanks that could collapse. Many people who end up in water-related emergencies did not intend to go swimming.
• Do not swim in areas with strong currents or steep drop-offs. The river moves much faster than it looks.
• Keep your children within arm's reach. Tragedies have occurred when kids fall in, and adults go in after them.
• River recreation and alcohol or drugs DO NOT MIX. Stay sober in and around the river.
• Wear sturdy shoes. Sharp objects in the water can cut bare feet.
• Hearing thunder? Feeling raindrops? Get out of the water and leave the river area, especially if you are downstream of areas where fires have burned in the previous years.
• Never recreate in or around water alone. Use the buddy system.

The summer season is busy across the forest with campers, boaters, hikers, and recreation enthusiasts enjoying activities in the Sequoia National Forest.  Forest officials urge the public to make backup plans before visiting because many of the forest’s facilities and roads are not open or are under the seasonal closure order until June 15, 2023.  This is due to record snowfall during the winter months, which has not melted in the higher elevations. 

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