SACRAMENTO, Calif — After a cool start to the Memorial weekend, people are now taking advantage of the warmer weather.
Tiscornia Beach was lined with pop-up tents, BBQs and all kinds of swimmers, but some are still a bit weary of the water.
The average water temperature from the snow melt is 54 degrees, and officials said the water is moving too cold and fast for even an experienced swimmer.
Officials also recommend life vests for anyone looking to enter the water, especially those 12 and younger.
Kamina, one of the many people at the beach, came prepared, bringing her own life vest for the family but also taking advantage of the free life vests people can borrow.
“We definitely love having those here every time. It’s a big help for sure, keep them safe. You never know how steep the water is going to be,” said Kamina.
Noticeably absent this year is DART, the Drowning Accident Rescue Team, which usually patrols the waters on Memorial Day and weekends through the summer stages along the river.
DART told ABC10 that, for the first time since 2015, Sacramento County did not pay for their contract. As a nonprofit, they can’t afford to be out on the waters every weekend.
Sacramento County said the Department of Regional Parks did not release a Request for Proposal this year for services that DART previously provided.
Sacramento County Regional Parks were closed for the holiday and could not be reached to ask why they didn’t request the service this year.
ABC10 reached out to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and asked whether the absence of DART was putting more pressure on their marine team. The sheriff’s office said with the launching of their own dive team they will have swimmers covered.
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