With the late afternoon recovery Wednesday of Matilda Ortiz, 5, who fell into the Stanislaus River at Knights Ferry on Sunday, the water levels on the river are back to previous levels.
Stanislaus County sheriff’s officials said that the New Melones Dam has resumed the release of water now that Matilda has been found. That allowed for the water level to rise and the flow again anticipated to reach about 4200 cfs.
Matilda, who had been with family members at the river and fell into the rushing waters about 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17 was located under the water by volunteer divers who are also river guides with extensive training in swift water rescue and recovery. Her body was found about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday near the area of the Knights Ferry Campground in the 17000 Block of Frymire Road.