TULARE COUNTY, CA (KMJ) – The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office closed the Kings River to all motorized watercraft, including boats and jet skis.
Effective immediately, Sheriff Boudreaux has announced the Kings River in Tulare County is closed to all motorized watercraft, including all boats and jet skis.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has determined that water levels and flow in the Kings River, through Tulare County, are not safe. Water levels are below one-foot in the majority of the river, with elevated sandbars that have formed through the past few months. As of today, the flow rate has dropped below 800 CFS, which activates the Tulare County Ordinance 2-03-1140 section F (5 MPH zone). Therefore, the Kings River (in Tulare County) will be restricted to motorized watercraft for the remainder of the season.
An assessment of the river revealed numerous hazards, including sand bars, tree trunks, logs and wood debris just below the surface of the water in multiple areas.
These unseen hazards make it extremely dangerous for any type of motorized watercraft to safely navigate the Kings River within Tulare County. As a matter of fact, the TCSO Marine Enforcement Unit will not be able to launch its vessels.
Although the river is restricted to all motorized watercraft, it remains open to other water recreation, such as paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming or floating. Please use extreme caution and wear a personal flotation device when in the water.
The Marine Enforcement Unit would like to thank everyone this year for adhering to the safety rules and regulations and assisting in a great river season.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
