July 4, 2020 – As summer temperatures rise so do the number of visitors to the South Yuba River. As a result, safety officials are dealing with crowded parking lots, unsafe and illegal parking, litter, and an increase in accidents. This 4th of July weekend, SYRCL asks Yuba visitors to help keep families, the river, and our river community protected by following safety and parking guidelines.
“Accidents are happening each weekend. We have had five near deaths this summer and seen an increase in visitor slips and falls, issues with dogs off leash, and illegal parking,” says SYRCL’s Executive Director Melinda Booth.
Parking is a major issue at all river crossings, especially illegal parking, which causes unsafe conditions and slows emergency response times. Rangers and officers are ticketing heavily for irresponsible parking. If parking lots are full, SYRCL recommends visitors try exploring a new place to swim.
Limited parking isn’t the only concern at the river. COVID‐19 cases are rising across California. SYRCL requests visitors adhere to state and local guidelines and be COVID‐responsible by wearing masks and keeping a minimum of 6 feet of distance from other people on trails and beaches. If you are feeling ill, skip the dip and stay at home. Be advised, trails in the Yuba River canyon are narrow and do not allow for needed social distancing.
During these unprecedented times, personal responsibility impacts more than just one person. Keep safe at the river and reduce community exposure to COVID‐19 and unnecessary strain on medical resources and first responders.
About SYRCL: The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL, pronounced “circle”), based in Nevada City, CA, is the leading voice for the protection and restoration of the Yuba River watershed. Founded in 1983 through a rural, grassroots campaign to defend the South Yuba River from proposed hydropower dams, SYRCL has developed into a vibrant community organization with over 3,500 members and volunteers. See: www.yubariver.org.