King County has closed a stretch of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River near North Bend due to dangerous river conditions.

The stretch is a popular place for kayaking and inner tubing.

The King County Sheriff’s Office announced the emergency closure Thursday, May 21, to all recreation on the Middle Fork, from river mile 1.4 to river mile 1.9, which is immediately downstream of the popular “blue hole” swimming area near Southeast 114th Street in North Bend.

Erosion of a steep stream bank at the downstream end of this section of the Middle Fork caused four trees to topple into the river, posing a serious safety threat to river users. River closure signs have been placed upstream of the site. The closure will remain in effect until conditions improve.