Stay safe on the water on Memorial Day weekend. Here’s what to know

Along with serving as a symbolic kickoff to summer, the three-day Memorial Day weekend also features plenty of swimming and boating.

High temperatures in the Sacramento area are expected to reach 95 degrees by Tuesday and 100 degrees by Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

Daily temperatures are expected to reach 102 degrees by Thursday, then drop into the 90s Friday and Saturday, meteorologists said.

Here’s what to know about water safety:

What to know about drowning

At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.

Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.

Here are some safety tips for those planning to spend time in and around water from the California Department of Water Resources, National Weather Service and Sacramento Fire Department:

Plan ahead:

• Check the status of the park you’re planning to visit before you leave your home for restrictions and guidelines
• Check river conditions on the Department of Water Resources’ website.
• Bring a proper-fitting life vest/Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and shoes, as well as sun protection and water for hydration.
• Bring a life preserver
• Know your GPS coordinates so you can provide your location in case of emergency.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back, and let them know when you return safely.

Know the water:

• Stay out of cold, fast-running water.
• Never enter the water to rescue someone.
• Throw something that floats and call 9-1-1.
• Never swim alone and never go in the water after drinking alcohol.

Know your limits:

• Even the strongest swimmers can become overwhelmed when faced with cold, swift water.

Life jackets:

• Life jackets are strongly recommended when recreating in or near waterways.

Supervise:

• Keep a close eye on family and friends if you plan to be around flowing water.
• Always watch children in and around water. Assign a designated “water watcher.”

Cold and fast waters endanger swimmers

In a social media post, the National Weather Service Sacramento office said the region’s waterways are “running fast & cold” from Sierra Nevada snow melt.

“Even experienced swimmers can lose muscle control very quickly,” the weather service’s post read. “If you choose to enter the water, on a boat or otherwise, wear a life jacket, avoid alcohol, and keep a close eye on kids!”

The California Nevada River Forecast Center publishes daily temperature observations and forecasts for rivers across the region, which the weather service encouraged swimmers to check in advance.

Many of the area’s most popular waterways, including the Sacramento River, American River, Feather Yuba River, Cache Creek and Putah Creek, experienced record-high water temperatures last week. Some of the observed temperatures exceeded 85 degrees.

However, forecasts still show most areas will have water temperatures in the 70s or lower in the coming days, which poses a health risk, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service said in its post that cold water can have adverse effects on critical body functions like breathing and muscle function. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said on its website that waterways fed by snow melt can “induce cold shock and stun even the strongest swimmers.”

According to the weather service, water colder than 77 degrees Fahrenheit will begin to impact breathing. At 60–70 degrees, breathing becomes difficult to hold or control. Between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, once breath is lost it becomes impossible to regain and muscle control only lasts a few minutes, the weather service reported.

Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex,” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water and can start the drowning process immediately,” CalOES said on its website.

What to know about boating safety

California State Parks offers the following boating safety tips:

• Take a boating safety course and get your California Boater Card.
• Make sure you have the right safety equipment onboard your boat such as life jackets, flares, navigation lights, a horn or whistle, and a first aid kit.
• Prior to leaving, share your float plan with a loved one or friend with details of your trip in the event of an emergency.
• Check the weather: Know the latest weather forecast prior to going out and check it regularly for changing conditions.
• Wear a life jacket.
• Avoid alcohol. Do not drink and boat. Alcohol continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in the United States.
• Actively supervise children.
• Keep your trash onboard. Never throw garbage into waterways. Take advantage of shoreside facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal and paper.

The Bee’s Camila Pedrosa and Sarah Linn contributed to this story.

This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Stay safe on the water on Memorial Day weekend. Here’s what to know."