Nevada County Search and Rescue Incident Command at Stampede Reservoir. Photo by Sierra County Sheriff’s Office.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR — On Saturday, August 17th, a teen set out from Iron Ox Campground to kayak across Stampede Reservoir and take a short hike. At 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting the teen missing, triggering a full-scale search and rescue operation. U.S. Forest Service law enforcement, Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Boat, Truckee Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol Helicopter from Redding immediately responded to the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office’s request for assistance in the search.
According to the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office, a motorcyclist found the teen on the north shore of the reservoir before all search teams arrived. He was dehydrated and mildly hypothermic but otherwise healthy. The kayak had capsized, but the teen was able to swim to shore, where he spent the night unsheltered.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office recommends the following safety tips to help prevent such a situation:
1. Always wear a life vest when out on the water, regardless of your swimming ability.
2. Have a plan and communicate your expected return time with those you are with in case of an emergency.
3. Alert authorities immediately if someone in your group goes missing. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.
The Sheriff’s Office also notes that although this incident was resolved positively, it serves as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change. A press release by the Office states, “Had the overnight temperatures been just a little colder, the outcome could have been tragic.”