Video: Heat wave triggers concerns for local rivers

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FALL CITY, Wash. - The warm temperatures will cause much of the mountain snowpack to melt, filling rivers and causing the threat of flooding. Rivers are running swift and high.

The Snoqualmie River is already running fast and furious and is pretty much full.

USGS hydrologist Mark Mastin said the river is running at 10,000 cubic feet per second, which is about three times what is normal for this time of year.

"It is in record territory," said Mastin.

Normal is 3,300 cubic feet per second, while flood stage is 14,000 cubic feet per second.

Western Washington rivers are not expected to rise above flood stage, but many - including the Snoqualmie, Nisqually and White rivers - are at what experts call bankfull, and residents who live near the river are being asked to keep an eye out.

"I would say anything over bankfull you could have localized flooding. So these people close to the river should be wary," said Mastin.

With record snowfall in the Central Cascades dumping 2.5 times the normal amount, and a sudden warm up, the risks of dying in a swollen river are high.

The Seattle King County Health Department put the message out that they're rather see people head for a local pool than into dangerous waters.

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The middle fork of the Snoqualmie River.

Simply jumping into raging waters a few degrees above freezing can quickly turn fatal.

"Their body just doesn't work the same. Their nerves and muscles don't work properly. Breathing becomes labored, and even good swimmers get in trouble very quickly. Yolu can lose somebody in a matter of seconds," said Tony Gomez. Injury Prevention Program Manager

The Health Dept. says in 2007, there were 24 unintentional drowning deaths in King County. Fifteen of those occurred in rivers, lakes, or Puget Sound. Six of them took place during the months of May and June, when waters are still very cold from winter runoff.

"Even the best swimmers with lifejackets are at risk for serious trouble in the cold water," said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County.

Washington's ocean beaches can also be inviting, but the surf can be dangerous. Two people have already died this year on the Washington coast in rip tides.

Ocean Shores Deputy Police Chief Russ Fitts says a simple safety rule for waders to follow is, "Ankles OK, knees no way."