Don't Go Near The Water

Some good has come from the wetter than normal weather this winter:

Those in the ski business got an extra boost and the state's snowpack is nearly twice its normal size in some places. That means we should have enough water for everyone this year.

On the downside, it also means we have a lot of water; Fast and cold water in some places up to four times the normal flow. This will likely last well into the summer. As a result, we'll see more reports of drownings in the news. It's already happening:

Just yesterday a teenager drowned near Placerville. They're not sure just what happened in that incident, but it looks like he and a friend might have been considering taking a swim.

A few days ago the guy who founded Fetzer Vineyards in Mendocino County, Bobby Fetzer, drowned in a rafting accident on the Eel River. His raft overturned and, despite having all the latest in safety gear, he drowned.

I was dumbfounded upon reading that those two guys, who had the car stolen that ended up in that big chase that went through Eureka, were considering taking a dip in the Eel before they were interrupted. What were they thinking?

That car thief might well have saved their lives.

You'd think people would know to stay away from the water when it's so cold, high and fast, but it happens every year and we'll likely see more of it than usual this year.

Don't go near the water.