That’s because drinking can impair judgement and turn an already dangerous situation into a deadly one, Spencer said — plus a day out on the river can lead to dehydration quickly. Drink water instead, experts advise.
Spencer said the majority of water rescue calls his department receives are along the El Manto, also known as Clay Banks, area of the American River, where the water is deep and the currents can be tricky.
“The current runs in almost a circular motion and it can suck you down under the water,” he said. “That’s where we have most of our drownings.”
That’s also where the ranger boat is out on the weekends patrolling, and “if you have any concerns, you can wave them down,” he said.
To mitigate your impact on the South Yuba’s ecosystem, Elkin also asks visitors to wear reef-safe sunscreen to protect the waterway and pick up and pack out your trash. You should also be aware of fire safety, as a fire in the canyon would be “devastating,” he said.
“Know that the Yuba has been very impacted lately — there have been a lot of visitors to the state park,” he said. “So it’s not quite as calm and serene as it used to be.”
How to check the safety conditions on the river before you go
Before heading out to any local river, you can check websites Dreamflows and American Whitewater, which track the flow of any given river and offer weather and other condition reports for visitors.
You can also check Go Nevada County for travel alerts in the area and the regional parks website for Sacramento County.
What should I do in an emergency on the river?
If you’re the one in trouble
If you do find yourself caught in the current, the best move is to float on your back and position your feet downstream, and “don’t try to fight it too much,” Elkin said. Then, attempt to paddle to one side of the river toward shore.
Yell for help if you can, and try to reach for any sort of flotation device or solid object like a branch or rock that may be nearby. Raising one hand straight over your head instead of two can both help you stay afloat and visible while signaling to others on shore that you are in need of rescue.
If you see someone else in trouble
It may seem counterintuitive, but if you see someone in the river struggling, experts warn against going in after them.
“A lot of people that go in the river to save somebody are the ones that don’t come out,” Hoek said.
Instead, immediately call 911 from your cellphone if you have signal, or from a nearby callbox, Robitaille said. “Don’t hesitate. Get us rolling,” he said.
If you can do so safely, try to toss a rope or flotation device into the water. But Robitaille said his crew and the California Highway Patrol are fully equipped to perform rescues once they’ve arrived.
Where should I go if I want the least dangerous swimming experience?
On the American River, some access points like the Watt Avenue or Howe River Access points may be shallower and more approachable for less confident swimmers, Spencer said.
Life jackets are available to rent at several locations on both the South Yuba and American Rivers, and are strongly recommended.