Cold water in Wyoming rivers chills tubing

Rivers are running high and fast in northwest Wyoming, but officials caution people looking to float with inner tubes to stay out of the water for now.

Bridger-Teton National Forest River Manager David Cernicek says the cold water from melting mountain snow can be more perilous than the high water.

Cernicek tells the Jackson Hole News & Guide even some people wearing protective clothing are feeling the effects when they go in the cold water on a tube.

A United States Geological Survey temperature gauge on the Snake River at Moose registered the water temperature at 54.5 degrees last Monday.

People are at risk of hypothermia in water colder than 70 degrees.

Local rafting outfitters are currently requiring customers to wear a wetsuit as a precaution.