Share
Strong currents and bone-chilling water have kept the Kings River banned from recreational use for more than a month. The stretch from Pine Flat Dam the Tulare and Kings county lines will remain closed this weekend.
The closure, ordered by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, has been in place since June 4.
With the Sierra’s massive snowpack melting quickly as temperature rise, water is flowing into Pine Flat Dam at a rate of about 16,000 cubic feet of water per second, and pouring into the Kings River at about 10,000 cfs. One cubic foot per second equals 7.5 gallons of water — about 646,000 gallons per day.
All Recreational Activity Affected
Fresno County joined Tulare County and Kings County, which previously ended recreational use of the lower river until the high waters recede.
The closure covers all recreational activity, such as boating, swimming, and floating. The Fresno County sheriff’s Boating Enforcement Unit will continue to patrol the Kings River. Violators face a minimum fine of $225.
In addition to the fast-moving current, the river water’s temperature is between 50 and 52 degrees. Even strong swimmers can fall prey to hypothermia, which can lead to exhaustion and unconsciousness.
Swift current also can erode riverbanks, drawing trees and branches in the river. A person in the river can become pinned against the tree and swept beneath it.
Sheriff’s Office officials said conditions on the Kings River will be assessed throughout the summer, and access could be restored after conditions are declared safe.
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
6 hours ago
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
6 hours ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
8 hours ago
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
9 hours ago
Measure P Arts Grants Spark Debate and a Meeting Tonight
10 hours ago
Tedford Exits Fresno State Football. Tim Skipper Is the Next Bulldog Up.
10 hours ago
Trump Receives Enough Delegate Votes to Officially be Republicans’ Nominee
11 hours ago
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
5 hours ago
Categories
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15173402/A-photo-provided-by-Jesse-Pope-shows-Cody-Jay-Pope-right-with-him-in-2012.-The-authorities-found-the-body-of-Cody-Jay-Pope-a-41-year-old-Minnesota-man-who-had-disappeared-two-days-earlier-after-1024x538.jpg)
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15150557/AP24197467333843-1024x576.jpg)
Is Inflation Finally Corralled? Powell Says Federal Reserve Believes It’s Close
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15171647/Los-Hooligans-court_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15172819/President-Joe-Biden-arrives-to-speak-to-members-of-the-media-in-Rehoboth-Beach-Del.-about-the-shooting-incident-at-Donald-Trumps-rally-in-Pa.-on-Saturday-July-13-2024.-President-Biden-said-o-1024x538.jpg)
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15144853/AP24197697589922_-1024x576.jpg)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15120621/lawsuit-against-respiratory-care-facility_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
![The Wines of Fresno: Tony Kirk, Birdstone Winery](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12152749/Tony-Kirk-Birdstone-Winery-016-1-1024x576.jpg)