These are the current water temperatures for local area rivers in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, and Southern Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills. Rivers and streams will continue to run cold, deep, and swift, resulting in potentially life-threatening hazards. Brief exposure to the cold water of a river or stream may lead to hypothermia and loss of dexterity. Swift currents can quickly exhaust even an experienced swimmer and carry them into rocks, trees, and other vegetation within the river channel. Bottom line is that rivers and streams are dangerous places to seek cooling relief from the heat. Venturing into them can result in drowning or water rescue.