Sheriff lifts evacuation warning, reopening Merced County waterways for recreational use

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office reopened county waterways for recreational use and lifted an evacuation warning for the west side of the county.

Sheriff Vern Warnke previously closed public access to the Merced and San Joaquin rivers in April due to dangerous river conditions.

In a video posted to social media, Warnke said that he had a chance to fly over areas of the county, which led to the lifting of the restrictions.

“I am going to officially lift the restrictions to the water,” Warnke said in the video. “The water’s still running very fast. It’s very cold. But it’s dropped enough that I think people can enjoy a kayaking trip or two down the river.”

Warnke also lifted an evacuation warning for the west side of the county near Stevinson and the confluence of the Merced and San Joaquin rivers. The agency issued the evacuation warning in April due to increased flows in the Merced and San Joaquin rivers.

“Flew that, everything’s dropped down, and I think we’re going to get through the rest of the summer with some good news,” said Warnke in the video.

Warnke went on to advise anyone who enters the water to remain aware that the water will be cold and fast flowing.