Officials decided to shut down tubing on the North Saint Vrain and Saint Vrain rivers in Boulder County due to dangerously high water levels, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

Rivers are closed to all tubes — including single-chamber rafts, single-chamber belly-boats, and inner tubes — effective yesterday.

Kayaks and white-water canoes are still permitted on the waterways, but the office warned that kayakers should still wear life jackets, helmets, and wet or dry suits.

The sheriff’s office said it will be posting notices around the area and informing citizens of the closure, and added that recreationists should exercise caution on the rivers.

Two rafters Brent Boulter, 57, and Dylan Wallace, 27, died in rafting accidents within the last week, according to American Whitewater.

Water levels in the Saint Vrain River were flowing at approximately 768 cubic feet per second Friday, according to the sheriff’s office.

They expect this number to increase due to spring run-off and the release of water from local reservoirs.

Clear Creek also experienced water restriction this week because of the swift moving water and floating debris, according to a news release.

Officials warned that “water height and flows are expected to rise as the heavy snowpack continues to melt in the coming days.”

These temporary water restrictions extend from the western boundary of unincorporated Jefferson County through the eastern limits of the City of Golden, including Vanover Park, and will remain in place until water levels decrease.

Restrictions will be strictly enforced and violators are subject to fines of up to $100.

The closures do not widely impact rafting companies during this time because closures like this one happen annually, said one owner of a local rafting company in Lyons.

Many tubing companies along Clear Creek and Saint Vrain officially open later in the summer after water levels have decreased significantly

Awareness of high water levels “certainly makes us more safe” said a spokesperson for AVA Rafting. “We are always making sure our guides know how high the water levels are and how fast the water is moving in case we need to pull someone back in the boat.”

There is no official date set for the reopening to tubes of the Saint Vrain river, Clear Creek, and many others.

“The closure order is effective until the conditions are safe,” said a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.