Officials warn of log jam danger on Cedar River

RENTON, Wash — King County officials are warning that the Cedar River is very dangerous this year and want people to avoid floating down the river until conditions are safer.

The concern is log jams. There are about 12 along 10 miles of river between Maple Valley and Renton. See map here.

The Sheriff’s Office says the number of log jams blocking the river and endangering people who use it is the highest in some time.

So with another stretch of warm weather this week, the message for boaters and people who want to float down the river is to stay away.

Officials also point out that while temperatures are rising, the water is still very cold.

"This year, the rivers are running high. We had a real high snow pack this year, when we have high, cold moving water, and the warm days of summer -- those don't mix,” said Renton Fire Department Captain Paul Harm.

Because it’s a very popular river, officials are working to mark the hazardous areas with signs.

“We had a fair number of fairly large flood events that moved a lot of wood around and caused a lot of these log jams to form,” said Doug Williams with the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks.  T

The drought weakened trees and some are now falling into the river.

Cox Media Group