Forest officials have closed down Granite Reef, Coon Bluff, and Phon D Sutton recreation sites along the Salt River amid higher water levels, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
MCSO Sergeant Joaquin Enriquez told ABC15 the river is dangerous right now, especially with more rain and higher SRP water releases on the way.
MCSO has seen multiple water rescues over the past week, some turning deadly.
A man died Saturday near the Pebble Beach area of the river after capsizing his kayak.
Enriquez also said the Phon D Sutton area in particular has gotten a lot of calls.
Sunday, another kayaker had to be rescuedin that area after capsizing.
"Lake patrol deputies have been really busy in the last couple weeks with rescuing who I'm sure are experienced kayakers who have come out here in the past, but the waters are so strong and the water's so high [we're seeing] a lot of capsizing of the kayaks," Enriquez said. "Luckily, a lot of these people are wearing life jackets, which we always encourage when you're coming out here."
Lifejackets won't cut it right now, though, Enriquez said.
"Don't come out here," he said. "We don't want anybody out here at all. Usually, the message is to wear your life jacket if you're coming out here, but we don't want you out here. It's too dangerous."
The flow along this stretch of the Salt River is at 12,200 cubic feet per second, which is 15 times stronger than the normal flow.
People tend to underestimate the power of water.
"Kayakers and paddle boarders of different experience levels come out and they think we've been here before. This is normal for us, which they have but they underestimate the current when it's this high," Sgt. Enriquez said.
The closures will likely continue for a while and MCSO says for people to stay off the river, no matter how experienced people are in the water.
