A county crew  removed a logjam spanning the Cedar River Thursday that forced the river’s closure earlier this spring.

The logjam upriver from Ron Regis Park in Renton was a threat to recreational users, the reason behind the closure by Sheriff Sue Rahr.

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director Christie True decided to remove the logjam after it was assessed by county staff and the Sheriff’s Office, and after hearing from concerned citizens, including such long-time river activists as Chuck Pillon, Roger Lowe and Martha Parker.

Pillon has raised concerns about that stretch of the Cedar for months since the river’s high waters uprooted trees and and it changed course. Power lines fell that had to be replaced.

King County received the final permits it needed from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife  and King County Department of Development and Environmental Services on Wednesday, and the bulk of the work is now complete.

“Rivers are dynamic systems that are always very dangerous, particularly after major flood events that can alter river channels and reorient wood,” said True. “Public safety is our priority; we will continue to investigate river hazards and deal with them when appropriate. But there is also no substitute for personal responsibility on the river. Short of using a professional, trained river guide service, always wear a life vest when on the river.”

The King County Council is currently considering a public safety measure to require use of life vests when floating or swimming in King County’s major rivers, including the Cedar, due to dangerous conditions. It could act on the measure at its meeting Monday.

When the river reopens is still under review.

“We don’t know when the closure will be lifted,” Sgt. John Urquhart, a spokesman for the King County Sheriff’s Office, said Thursday.

“We are going to have to evaluate that section of the river and see what removal of the trees has done. There are hazards other than just the strainer and we need to check those out after the trees are gone.

“In other words, opening the river is not automatic,” he said.

The logjam formed during a major storm this winter that kept the river’s flow at near flood stage for almost two weeks. The river created a new channel during the high flows, which threatened nearby homes.

Three large trees formed the main part of the logjam that either fell into the river when the bank was undercut or were rushed downriver.

King County also is repositioning some large boulders it placed this winter as part of an effort to protect homes potentially threatened by the new course of the river.

The boulders are resting farther than necessary into the river. The idea is go give recreational users more room to maneuver through that stretch of river.

The cost to remove the logjams and move the boulders is estimated at between $20,000 and $30,000, according to Steve Bleifuhs, manager of the county’s River and Floodplain Management Section, who was at the site.