SACRAMENTO, Calif. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District park rangers are stepping up water safety outreach efforts in advance of the holiday weekend, as the Central Valley continues to see more hazardous water conditions than usual.
“We have already seen that this year is more dangerous than most,” said Col. Bill Leady, commander of the Sacramento District. “We’re still so early in the recreation season; we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to let people know what the risks are out there, so everyone can enjoy their summer on the water.”
Record snow pack and rainfall throughout the Sierra Nevada this year mean water is running colder, faster and higher in California’s rivers.
“This weekend is supposed to be very hot, and the reservoirs are a great place to cool off, have fun and relax during the holiday weekend,” said Jonathan Friedman, senior park ranger for the Sacramento District. “Just be smart and safe about it. Plan ahead and always wear a life jacket,” he added.
Corps rangers are spending additional hours on boat-patrol, handing out copies of boating rules and educational materials, and working with local law enforcement to make sure visitors are safe and informed of the risks.
“Before you go out this weekend, check local water and weather conditions and heed recreation warnings like river closures from local emergency services offices,” Leady said. “But the single most important thing you can do on the water to protect yourself is to wear a life jacket.”
The Sacramento District manages 10 parks and lakes in California. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is America’s largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, serving more than 370 million visitors a year at 422 recreation parks in 43 states.
In an effort to help spread the word about water safety, the Corps is also making available two short public service announcements, which can be found on our website at http://bit.ly/gwkr1z, and the scripts for your own use are provided on the second page of this release.
Public service announcements – water safety
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District is providing the below water safety public service announcements to make sure everyone headed out to our Corps lakes and rivers this summer is reminded of the importance of wearing lifejackets.
Below is the link to two pre-recorded PSAs, as well as the scripts for media who would prefer to read the message to listeners (versus using the pre-recorded versions). We thank you in advance for considering these important announcements.
Pre-recorded PSAs available at: http://bit.ly/gwkr1z
Come Home Safe - :15
WHEN YOU’RE VISITING THE LAKE THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, PLAN AHEAD AND BRING A LIFEJACKET. WEAR IT WHENEVER YOU ARE ON OR NEAR THE WATER. HAVE FUN, AND PLEASE COME HOME SAFE. THIS MESSAGE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE U – S – ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SACRAMENTO DISTRICT.
Cold Water - :20
A RECORD SNOWFALL IN THE SIERRA NEVADA PLUS HOT SUMMER DAYS ADDS UP TO A WHOLE LOT OF FAST MOVING, REALLY COLD WATER. WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET ANY TIME YOU ARE ON OR NEAR THE WATER THIS MESSAGE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE U – S – ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SACRAMENTO DISTRICT.