A busy day on the water this Fourth of July holiday, depending on where you look. Millerton Lake was packed with people as boaters, jetskiiers and swimmers flocked to the water in search of relief from the heat.
"We got here at 8 a.m. and it wasn't too bad, but it's filling up quick," Benny Munoz said.
Filling up quick because many nearby rivers are closed.
Kelly's Beach in Reedley was one of several recreation areas along the King's River, off limits, because of flooding, cool temperatures and fast moving water.
It's owner didn't want to talk with us on camera, but said more than 600 people were forced to cancel their plans at the last minute. A huge financial hit to her business on one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Monday, the only activity was a police officer patrolling the parking lot for people ignoring the warnings. Picnic tables sat empty, chairs neatly stacked.
"The rest were closed so we came here," Raymond Sanchez said.
At Lost Lake Park on the San Joaquin River, a different picture.
Families stopped there to celebrate the Independence Day, but the crowds were much smaller. And those brave enough to take a dip in the water described the experience like this, "it is so cold! I have family members in the water and I don't know how they did it," Martina Maya said. "The water is numbing. You can't feel your legs when you get out."
We checked in with the Sheriff's Departments in Fresno, Tulare and Merced counties. So far they have had no major incidents.
