Man drowns at Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene

A 26-year-old man is dead after drowning at Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene on Saturday, according to the Lane County Sheriff's Office.

Marine Patrol deputies and the Oregon State Police responded to the scene at around 3 p.m. where they learned the man, who was not wearing a life jacket, was swimming near a boat and had not resurfaced from the water, according to a release from the Lane County Sheriff's Office.

Local volunteers with the LCSO Search and Dive Team searched underwater for hours before the victim was eventually found dead, according to the release.

Despite the recent heat, rivers and lakes in Lane County are still cold, making them especially dangerous on a hot summer day, according to the release. Visitors are urged to wear a life jacket at all times while out on the water.

Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Man drowns at Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene