Man’s body recovered from California Aqueduct near Los Banos, Merced County deputies say

Merced County Sheriff’s deputies recovered a man’s body from the California Aqueduct on Sunday afternoon.

Investigators say they are working to confirm whether the body is that of a fisherman who fell into the aqueduct two weeks ago. Thus far, the body has not been identified.

Deputies at 1:36 p.m. Sunday responded to the area of Mervel Avenue and Ortigalita Road after a passerby alerted authorities to the body, which was floating in the water under a bridge, according to Deputy Daryl Allen..

The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team recovered the body, which was located downstream.

Deputies said man who went missing was fishing along the aqueduct on Jan. 23 when he lost his footing and fell into the water. He was last seen about 300 yards south of the location where he entered the water.

Authorities said the aqueduct is dangerous because it’s difficult for people who fall into the water to get back out. “It is not safe to fish along the aqueduct and that’s usually why they have the areas closed out there,” said Allen.

“The current is very strong and typically moves very fast.”

This story was originally published February 7, 2022 at 2:38 PM.