The summer edition of the Sacramento Fire Department's Community Newsletter discusses the dangers of swimming in the river. It mentions that the river bottoms can be uneven and have steep drop-offs and the currents are strong, so a life vest should be worn at all times. Under the City and County of Sacramento ordinances, it is against the law for a child under the age of 13 to enter public waters without a life vest. Parents or guardians who do not put life vests on their children can be fined up to $500 and cited for a misdemeanor.  If you don't have a life vest on hand, there are plenty of places to borrow one. The following fire stations have life vests for the public to borrow: FI