Emergency responders and park rangers will continue their search for the swimmer that's believed to have fallen down a 600-foot-waterfall in California's Yosemite National Park.
Authorities said they do not believe the victim, Aleh Kalman, 19, has survived the drop.
"We believe it's impossible to survive a fall like that," Kari Cobb, park spokesperson, told CNN.
Kalman was visiting the park with his church group on Saturday when he was seen swimming in Merced River - an area permissible for visitors to swim - and likely fell sometime in the afternoon while trying to get back ashore.
"A very swift and powerful spring flow of water" is likely to have pushed the teen down river and over the edge of the waterfall.
The water was rushing at about 500 cubic feet per second when Kalman was in the water, and surged to 650 cubic feet later.
"Although the park received only 50 percent of normal snow pack, rivers within the park continue to run at high levels this time of the year," the park service said. "Additionally, the water remains extremely cold and will be throughout the year."
Areas surrounding the river and water fall were closed temporarily while park rangers and other officials, including three dog teams and 20 ground Search and Rescue (SAR) staff, determined how to proceed with the search.
"Ground teams...were immediately dispatched to the location of the waterfall to begin searching for Kalman. Search efforts continued throughout the evening until fading light prevented further efforts."
Friends of Kalman have demonstrated an outpouring of support as the search goes on.
"I've known him for, ever since he moved in that would be about freshman year in high school," said one friend. "He always had a smile on his face, that's what I remember."
In 2011, three other people were swept over a different waterfall, along the same river.
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