Kern River Water Safety - Preparing for your safe summer starts now!
Post Date:04/27/2023 12:37 PM
The Kern River is especially dangerous this year with water levels at an all-time high.
Please see important safety tips below:
Wear a life vest if you’re going near the Kern River and beware of fast-moving currents beneath the surface. Even if you’re wearing a life vest, you can still be taken underwater and trapped between rocks and trees.
Do not enter the water unless you’re with a trained professional. Even if you’re a good swimmer, it’s possible to underestimate the power of the currents in the Kern River.
Stay 3 - 5 feet away from the riverbank. The shore can be eroded, and even water as shallow as six inches can be dangerous.
When hiking or doing outdoor activities near the Kern River, stay in groups.
Make sure children are not left unattended near any body of water, including the Kern River.
Refrain from consuming alcohol or any substance during outdoor activities near the Kern River.
Small inflatables are not recommended for the river as they can easily be ripped or torn from trees, branches, or rocks beneath the water.
Beware of Kern River water levels and know they can rise at any time.
If you fall into the river, do not fight the current. Get into a lawn chair position and let the river take you toward the riverbank.
