With warming temperatures, rain this week, and snow melting in the mountains, we can expect higher creek flows and cold, cold water.  Please take care when enjoying the park, and be particularly careful when allowing kids and pets to play near the creeks and rivers.

In a joint statement from the City of Angels Camp (COA), Calaveras County, Union Public Utility District (UPUD), Utica Water and Power Authority (Utica), and Murphys Community Club, it cautioned visitors regarding those conditions, especially along Angels/Murphys Creek.

“While recreating in Murphys Park, Tryon Park, or anywhere along Murphys/Angels Creek, we urge community members to use caution when approaching the water. We expect unpredictable increases and decreases in water flows, depending on daily temperatures and the resulting runoff from snowmelt. We urge the public to use caution, especially those with children, when near Murphys/Angels Creek and all streams and rivers in Calaveras County,” state water officials.

Water officials also noted that those conditions will last for a longer period than in recent years. Also targeted was the North Fork Stanislaus River, which is expected to create higher flows in Utica’s canal and flume system. They noted, “Not only does snowmelt cause high flows, it also makes the water extremely cold, which can be dangerous to swimmers, tubers, waders, pets, or anyone entering the water.”

For more information regarding the water conditions in the county, contact the Calaveras Office of Emergency Services at (209) 754-6650 or the Murphys Community Club at (209) 728-1948.

To see what’s coming up in Murphys Park, visit the Murphys Park website or plan to join them on May 7th for Member Appreciation Day.  Not yet a member, no problem; drop by the Park between 1 and 4, and they will get all signed up.  They will be grilling hotdogs, serving drinks, and hosting games for the kids.  Next up will be the Spring Bocce Ball Tournament on May 13th at 9am benefitting Feeney Park.