BAKERSFIELD, CA. — 298 people have lost their lives in the Kern River since 1968.

On Tuesday, KCSO updated the178 sign warning of the lives lost in the river in the past 51 years.

The sign is updated annually to add the numbers lost in the previous year.

Last year, four lives were lost in the river. In 2017, 16 lives were lost in the river.

KCSO is warning this year's increased snowpack could make the river more dangerous than ever.

The Kern River Conservancy is suggesting anyone interested in water rafting should do so with a professional guide.