Blauert on Outdoors: Irresponsible recreation causing problems at Merced River

“NO STOPPING ANY TIME” read the new signs that went up along a commonly used access point for rafting, kayaking and fishing the Merced River this summer.

Located about 31/2 miles east of Snelling on Merced Falls Road, this spot had been popular because it offered a few relatively safe parking spaces, was just a few steps from the water, and allowed users to begin an enjoyable 21/2-mile Class I-II (in low water conditions) float down to Henderson Park.

I’d always assumed it was a public access point and I guess many other users thought the same. After all, when there isn’t a fence and fishing regulations are posted on a large, official-looking sign, the natural tendency is to conclude you’re welcome.

It turns outthis is a narrow strip of private property located between the county road and the edge of the water. Although the landowner hasn’t taken steps to prohibit trespassing in recent years, it’s not a public access point.

I learned this and quite a bit more about the Snelling section of the river in a recent conversation with County Supervisor Deidre Kelsey. She’s been involved with issues concerning the river for many years – including trying to solve the many problems that have been caused by irresponsible river users who have littered the area, ventured onto private land adjoining the river and built dangerous campfires while trespassing.

If you’ve visited this stretch of the river, you’ve seen the garbage problem firsthand as I have. From the first time I floated the river several years ago until last summer, the filth increased at an exponential level. Everything from empty beverage and food containers to piles of used diapers gave the river the appearance of a dump. Kelsey got the county to install a large trash bin last year. This lasted until it started getting illegally filled with construction debris.

Another major problem was the number of river rescues that had to be performed in the high runoff spring and early summer of 2011 – including one that put rescuers in serious peril. The tipping point that prompted the installation of the “no stopping” signs came over the Fourth of July weekend this year, when the large number of parked vehicles along the road created a traffic hazard.

It’s certainly disappointing it had to come to this – especially since this is one of the few stretches of the river well-suited to rafting and kayaking – but the problems are very real and have created dangers and nuisances for people in the Snelling-Merced Falls area. Part of the reason for the difficulty in developing any other sort of solution was the county’s budget challenges simply don’t make it possible to effectively patrol and enforce appropriate use of the area. So the current solution ended up being access limitation.

I’ve been told the “no stopping” regulation is not being enforced in a way so as to limit people from dropping off rafts or kayaks and then driving to the nearby Merced Irrigation District’s Crocker-Huffman parking area (a half-mile east) to leave vehicles. It does require some walking, but access is still possible this way.

Crocker-Huffman isn’t a good access point for rafting or kayaking because there isn’t a launch point below the dam. There’s also a long walk from the parking area to the water that is difficult with a heavy kayak or raft.

Farther down the river you can launch at the Cuneo Fishing Access, but it’s simply too close to Henderson Park for a good float. You launch, you start to get comfortable on the water and by that point the landscaped, grassy bank of the park begins to appear on your right.

Part of the longterm solution will be the construction of a new parking and access point by MID in a location slightly west of the Crocker-Huffman Dam. Although the opening is a couple of years off, it will be a great improvement with a parking lot, launch for non-motorized boats, interpretive signs, restrooms and trash receptacles. MID will undertake the construction, with a majority of the cost being paid by a state grant.

Hard-working volunteers work to solve the trash issue by organizing two river cleanup days this year. I talked recently with Aleta Bauer, who has led this effort.

“We don’t have any political goals,” she said, “we’re just a group of people who care about the river and want to clean it up. ... You can’t blame people for wanting to recreate on the river.”

Their effort has already made a huge difference and they plan to continue it next year. When dates are announced for next year’s clean-up, you’ll read about them here. After this year’s trash pick-up days, MID helped by hauling the bagged waste to the dump and the Department of Fish and Wildlife has followed up by writing littering tickets.

What is needed is a culture change among those who trash the river and show blatant disregard for private property. Yet there has to be a solution. There are other places in our valley where river access – and the culture of river users – seems to work much better.

The Stanislaus River is one of those places. Between Knights Ferry and Orange Blossom Park (eight miles downriver), a total of five access points provide places to enter the river, fish or picnic. Two companies rent rafts at Knights Ferry and pick up rafters after they’ve floated down to Orange Blossom.

Having floated this part of the Stanislaus several times, it’s clear there’s a difference. The river sees far more users, and yet there’s not much of a trash problem. Most of this is probably because these areas are regularly patrolled and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers, which provides parking areas, boat launch areas, restrooms, picnic tables and regular trash service.

One final thought about enjoying our local rivers: The water can be dangerous. Hidden hazards can ensnare and drown even the strongest, most experienced swimmer. Safe rafting and kayaking is best done in a group led by experienced individuals. Life jackets should always be worn, no matter how calm and safe the water seems.

There are many times when water flows make river use unsafe for everyone, no matter their experience level. Wherever you go, respect private property and help to keep the river accessible by picking up trash. Also, if you head out to the river this fall, be aware special fishing closures are in effect because of extremely low water levels.

This story was originally published October 28, 2014 at 11:32 PM with the headline "Blauert on Outdoors: Irresponsible recreation causing problems at Merced River."