Effective immediately, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is closing the Kings River from Pine Flat Dam to the Tulare County line and the southern portion of the Kings River between the Tulare County line and the Kings County line.
Due to higher-than-average snow pack from winter storms in the Central Valley and subsequent snow melt, Pine Flat Lake Reservoir is releasing water at a rate of over 11,000 cubic feet per second, leading to an increase of the water level in the Kings River.
The increased cold water flow and rising water level has created hazardous conditions along the Kings River, including fallen and submerged trees called “strainers” that are extremely dangerous to swimmers and boaters.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will be strictly enforcing the following County Ordinances:
Fresno County Ordinance 13.60.043:
“Portions of the Kings River closed to boats, swimming and swimming aids. The Sheriff shall monitor the water flow down the Kings River from the border between Fresno and Tulare Counties to Highway 180 and shall immediately report to the Board of Supervisors when conditions no longer warrant the closing of the River to insure the safety of persons and property.”
Fresno County Ordinance 13.60.030:
It is unlawful to launch or use a motorboat, rowboat, raft, kayak or canoe upon that portion of the river between the following locations or under the following circumstances:
A. From Pine Flat Dam to a point three hundred feet downstream from the first bridge below the dam;
B. From a point four hundred fifty feet upstream from the Alta Weir to a point three hundred feet downstream from the Alta Weir;
C. On any portion of the river above the Highway 180 crossing when the water release from the Pine Flat Dam exceeds ten thousand cubic feet per second as determined and announced by the United States Corps of Army Engineers.
TXT 24
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