Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District officials reported that emergency crews responded to a possible drowning at the Woodward Reservoir on Sunday, April 17 around 4:50 p.m. When units arrived on scene, they confirmed the victim was missing.

The district reported that firefighters found the victim below the surface using long handle tools. When the body was recovered, CPR was performed but efforts to revive the subject were unsuccessful.

Sheriff’s officials said the victim was a 19-year-old man from Stockton who had been swimming and drinking with a group of friends near Picnic Point, just south of the dam. His name was being withheld pending family notification and was not available at press time. Officials added that the teen “wasn’t wearing a life jacket when he was in the deep part of the water.”

The drowning was the first of the year at Woodward Reservoir.