Location: Tule River

Incident Date: 5/21/19

Posted by: Media Relations

HAPPENING NOW: Public Access to Tule River CLOSED

In conjunction with Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, Sequoia National Forest Acting Supervisor Rachel Smith has issued a temporary closure to the public’s access of the Tule River. 

This year’s record level snow pack and warming temperatures have resulted in swift, cold water flowing in the Tule River, making it dangerous to the public.

The closure order starts Tuesday, May 21, 2019, and will stay in effect until further notice.

Public access areas include all sites on the Middle Fork of the Tule River beginning at the entrance to the Giant Sequoia National Monument and extending to the Moorehouse Fish Hatchery just below Pier Point Springs.  Also, river access is restricted on the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Tule River to Wishon Campground. 

“This year, we have already seen tragedy on our Tulare County waterways, and it isn’t even Memorial Day yet. I am very concerned about the safety of the people of this county,” said Sheriff Boudreaux. “The water conditions are unsafe and unpredictable and simply not suitable for recreation right now. If shutting down access to a public waterway saves just one life, it is worth any slight inconvenience that it might cause.”

Forest Service officials will reassess water levels and river conditions throughout the summer. When safe, access to the river will be reopened to the public.

Sheriff Boudreaux wants to remind everyone to be extremely careful in ALL of our local waterways. The water might look calm, but it is NOT and a situation can turn dangerous in an instant.