5-year-old drowns at California’s Shasta Lake. Officials flag cold water dangers

A 5-year-old boy drowned at Shasta Lake after entering the cold water without a life jacket, California sheriff’s officials said.

The child vanished underwater before his parents could pull him out and put on a life jacket at about 11:22 a.m. Monday, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies and other emergency responders searched the lake near Turntable Bay for the boy, officials said. Divers found his body about an hour later.

“This incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly a routine outing can become tragic,” deputies said.

Deputies warned that while outside temperatures are rising, rivers and lakes remain extremely cold.

Shasta Lake is about 170 miles north of Sacramento.

Why is cold water dangerous?

The weather service said cold water can have adverse effects on critical body functions like breathing and muscle function. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said on its website that waterways fed by snow melt can “induce cold shock and stun even the strongest swimmers.”

According to the weather service, water colder than 77 degrees Fahrenheit will begin to impact breathing. At 60–70 degrees, breathing becomes difficult to hold or control. Between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, once breath is lost it becomes impossible to regain and muscle control only lasts a few minutes, the weather service reported.

Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex,” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water and can start the drowning process immediately,” CalOES said on its website.

How to stay safe near water

Here are some safety tips for those planning to spend time in and around water from the California Department of Water Resources, National Weather Service and Sacramento Fire Department:

Plan ahead

• Check the status of the park you’re planning to visit before you leave your home for restrictions and guidelines
• Check river conditions on the Department of Water Resources’ website.
• Bring a proper-fitting life vest and shoes, as well as sun protection and water for hydration.
• Bring a life preserver
• Know your GPS coordinates so you can provide your location in case of emergency.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back, and let them know when you return safely.

Know the water

• Stay out of cold, fast-running water.
• Never enter the water to rescue someone.
• Throw something that floats and call 9-1-1.
• Never swim alone and never go in the water after drinking alcohol.

Know your limits

• Even the strongest swimmers can become overwhelmed when faced with cold, swift water.

Life jackets

• Life jackets are strongly recommended when recreating in or near waterways.

Supervise

• Keep a close eye on family and friends if you plan to be around flowing water.
• Always watch children in and around water. Assign a designated “water watcher.”

The Bee’s Camila Pedrosa and Sarah Linn contributed to this story.

This story was originally published April 7, 2026 at 9:05 AM.