WAS FROM THE GOVERNOR. AS WE LOOK TOWARD THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING NEXT WEEK, YOU PROBABLY NOTICED THAT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE WARMING UP, AND THAT MEANS MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUTSIDE TO COOL OFF AT OUR LOCAL WATERWAYS. KCRA 3’S MARICELA DE LA CRUZ JOINS US NOW FROM SACRAMENTO WITH AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OFFICIALS ABOUT SAFETY. MARICELA. YEAH. MELANIE. WELL, AS THE SPRING APPROACHES AND MORE PEOPLE START HEADING OUT, OFFICIALS SAY ENJOY THE WEATHER, ENJOY THE WATER, BUT DON’T LET THAT FOOL YOU. THE RIVERS CAN STILL BE COLD AND UNPREDICTABLE. JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE SPRING OFFICIALLY ARRIVES, WARM TEMPERATURES ARE DRAWING PEOPLE OUTSIDE, BRINGING FAMILIES. WELL, IT’S A NICE WEATHER AND WE GOT THREE KIDS, SO, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, RIGHT? AND FRIENDS MAKE SOME SIDDIQUI TO SACRAMENTO AREA RIVERS I SEE TODAY. AND YOU LOOK VERY NICE. I CALLED MY FRIEND AND I SAY, HEY, YOU HAVE TIME TO GO TO THE RIVER. BUT AS PEOPLE LOOK TO COOL OFF, FIRST RESPONDERS ARE URGING CAUTION. WE’RE EXPERIENCING HIGHER RIVER LEVELS RIGHT NOW. ALL THE WATER THAT’S COMING DOWN THE AMERICAN RIVER IS ALL SNOW RUNOFF. SO IT’S VERY COLD. IT’S VERY DECEIVING. YOU THINK THAT IT’S A LITTLE BIT WARM OUTSIDE, THE SUN’S OUT, AND THAT WATER IS GOING TO BE REFRESHING WHEN IT’S ACTUALLY QUITE THE OPPOSITE. CAPTAIN JUSTIN SILVIAH WITH THE SACRAMENTO FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS WARMER WEATHER TYPICALLY BRINGS MORE WATER RESCUE CALLS. WE SEE A LOT OF THE TIME IS PEOPLE ON BEACHES AND CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE WATER WITHOUT LIFE JACKETS ON, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR SOME. ENJOYING THE WEATHER ALSO MEANS PLAYING IT SAFE. WE’RE JUST HANGING OUT. GRANDMA CAME TO VISIT US, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO GET OUT IN THE NICE WEATHER. WE. THIS IS LIKE ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SPOTS TO COME TO. THE TIDE IS STILL PRETTY HIGH, BUT YOU KNOW, IT’LL STILL BE FUN. WE HAVE TO HAVE THE BALL. NOT TOO FAST USING THE LIFE JACKETS MOSTLY ALL THE TIME, BECAUSE IT’S HARD TO KNOW WHEN THE ACCIDENT IS COMING. THEY HAVE TO PREPARE. AND FOR THOSE HEADING OUT ON THE WATER, OFFICIALS WARN TO WATCH OUT FOR HIDDEN DANGERS. RIGHT NOW, WE DO SEE A LOT OF DEBRIS FLOATING IN THE WATER JUST BECAUSE THOSE WATER LEVELS WENT UP, THEY’RE ABLE TO KIND OF GRAB THAT DEBRIS ON THE SIDE OF THE RIVER AND BRING IT BACK IN AND PUSH IT INTO THE CENTER. AND OFFICIALS SAY THAT THE BEST WAY TO STAY SAFE ON THE RIVER IS TO ALWAYS HAVE THAT LIFE JACKET WITH YOU. AND IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE OF THOSE, YOU CAN ALWAYS BORROW ONE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. FOR NO
Warm weather draws families to Sacramento rivers amid safety warnings
Updated: 7:29 PM PDT Mar 14, 2026
As warm temperatures bloom this weekend, families and friends are flocking to Sacramento-area rivers to enjoy the outdoors, but officials are warning of cold water and hidden debris.Luke McCarthy, a Land Park resident, said, “It’s nice weather, and we’ve got three kids, so you know, you’ve got to get out of the house, right?” Felipe Herrera also took advantage of the pleasant day, saying, “I saw the day, and it looked very nice. I called my friend, and I said, ‘Hey, you have time, let’s go to the river.'”However, as mid-March temperatures rise and people seek ways to cool off, there are important safety considerations to keep in mind.Captain Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department highlighted the current conditions, “We’re experiencing higher river levels right now. All the water that’s coming down the American River is all snow runoff, so it’s very cold. It’s very deceiving. You think that it’s a little bit warm outside, the sun’s out, and that water is going to be refreshing when it’s actually quite the opposite.”Captain Sylvia noted that while the fire department responds to water rescues year-round, warmer days often lead to an increase in calls. “What we see a lot of the time is people on beaches and children playing in the water without life jackets on, which is very dangerous,” he said.For some, playing it safe is the best approach. McCarthy shared his family’s plans, saying, “We’re just hanging out. Grandma came to visit. Trying to get out in really nice weather. This is one of our favorite spots to come to. The tide’s still pretty high, but it’ll still be fun.”Herrera emphasized the importance of safety precautions and wearing life vests. “It’s hard to know when they are going to come in handy, you have to be prepared,” Herrera said. Officials advise those venturing onto boats or kayaks to remain cautious of potential hazards beneath the surface. Sylvia warned, “Right now, we do see a lot of debris floating in the water just because as water levels went up, they’re able to kind of grab that debris on the side of the river and bring it back in and push it into the center.”Officials recommend wearing life jackets, avoiding strong currents, and remembering that even on a warm day, Sacramento’s rivers can be dangerously cold.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
As warm temperatures bloom this weekend, families and friends are flocking to Sacramento-area rivers to enjoy the outdoors, but officials are warning of cold water and hidden debris.
Luke McCarthy, a Land Park resident, said, “It’s nice weather, and we’ve got three kids, so you know, you’ve got to get out of the house, right?”
Felipe Herrera also took advantage of the pleasant day, saying, “I saw the day, and it looked very nice. I called my friend, and I said, ‘Hey, you have time, let’s go to the river.'”
However, as mid-March temperatures rise and people seek ways to cool off, there are important safety considerations to keep in mind.
Captain Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department highlighted the current conditions,
“We’re experiencing higher river levels right now. All the water that’s coming down the American River is all snow runoff, so it’s very cold. It’s very deceiving. You think that it’s a little bit warm outside, the sun’s out, and that water is going to be refreshing when it’s actually quite the opposite.”
Captain Sylvia noted that while the fire department responds to water rescues year-round, warmer days often lead to an increase in calls. “What we see a lot of the time is people on beaches and children playing in the water without life jackets on, which is very dangerous,” he said.
For some, playing it safe is the best approach. McCarthy shared his family’s plans, saying, “We’re just hanging out. Grandma came to visit. Trying to get out in really nice weather. This is one of our favorite spots to come to. The tide’s still pretty high, but it’ll still be fun.”
Herrera emphasized the importance of safety precautions and wearing life vests.
“It’s hard to know when they are going to come in handy, you have to be prepared,” Herrera said.
Officials advise those venturing onto boats or kayaks to remain cautious of potential hazards beneath the surface. Sylvia warned, “Right now, we do see a lot of debris floating in the water just because as water levels went up, they’re able to kind of grab that debris on the side of the river and bring it back in and push it into the center.”
Officials recommend wearing life jackets, avoiding strong currents, and remembering that even on a warm day, Sacramento’s rivers can be dangerously cold.