Lake County News | California - Shallow water creates dangerous conditions on Clear Lake

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Have you successfully tackled problems and projects?

Can you lead dedicated employees and concerned citizens in a positive

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Konocti

Director of Water Resources

The County of Lake is seeking an enthusiastic leader to organize, plan, and administer the work of the newly formed Water Resources Department.

An ideal applicant has a record that demonstrates:

efficient management of projects and people
insight, dedication, and practicality
the ability to turn goals into reality

The director will manage a wide range of important water-related programs and projects such as water quality improvement, watershed protection, invasive aquatic species prevention, flood control measures, and reclamation wetland restoration efforts.

For salary/benefit information, job description, & application:

www.co.lake.ca.us or call Human Resources 707-263-2213

Recruitment closes December 4, 2009

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

The County of Lake is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Close Ad

Are you passionate about caring for Clear Lake?

Have you successfully tackled problems and projects?

Can you lead dedicated employees and concerned citizens in a positive

and productive direction?

Do you want to make a Difference?

Konocti

Director of Water Resources

The County of Lake is seeking an enthusiastic leader to organize, plan, and administer the work of the newly formed Water Resources Department.

An ideal applicant has a record that demonstrates:

efficient management of projects and people
insight, dedication, and practicality
the ability to turn goals into reality

For salary/benefit information, job description, & application:

www.co.lake.ca.us or call Human Resources 707-263-2213

Recruitment closes December 4, 2009

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

The County of Lake is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Shallow water creates dangerous conditions on Clear Lake

Written by Lake County News Reports

Saturday, 07 November 2009

LAKE COUNTY – Due to the below average amount of rainfall during the past two years, the water level on Clear Lake is very low, and it's creating dangerous conditions for boaters, officials reported on Friday.

Boaters should exercise caution when navigating in the areas of Clearlake Oaks, Cache Creek and in the general area of the entrance to the Rodman Slough, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Bauman said that during the past week, the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit has received approximately five requests for assistance from boaters that have run aground and become stuck in the shallow water near the Rodman Slough.

In each case the sheriff’s office could not provide the assistance requested, as the shallow water extends over a quarter of a mile out into the lake in this area, Bauman said.

Stranded boaters were forced to get out of their boats and push or pull their boat out into deeper water. Bauman said that on two such calls, the sheriff’s patrol boat could only get within about 600 yards of the stranded boater before it, too, was hitting the bottom.

The sheriff's office recommend that all boaters be aware of the shallow water in the general vicinity of the Rodman Slough and stay clear of that area.

Boaters who fail to stay clear of this area and consequently get stranded aground may not rely on the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol to assist with a courtesy tow, Bauman said.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .

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Kayak - it's the only
written by Donna Christopher, November 07, 2009

way to go - especially up Rodman Slough. And stay to the Nice side.

Swamp
written by fandango1, November 07, 2009

I pulled my 20 ft sailboat (with a swing keel) out for the winter from Nice Harbor on Nov 1st. The boat has a draft of 14 inches and I managed to hit bottom leaving the harbor and again when entering Lucerne Harbor. I was fortunate that running the engine at full power got me clear of the muck. I would NOT like being stuck way out in Rodman Slough. Pull your boats in soon gang before it is too late.

Frank of Bond

Would be interesting to see what Rumsey was
written by bearer, November 07, 2009

compared to other years.

Wonder if the average is a lot lower then the normal drain off.

Has Yolo taken more than their alloted zero rumsey allowance?

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/monthly?referred_module=sw&site_no=11450000&por_11450000_2=2209877,00065,2,1913-01,2009-01&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list

Seems the lake is about average using date from 1913 to 2009.

Bearer - Yolo took their allottment
written by Donna Christopher, November 07, 2009

early in the year due to the fact we lose 3 ft from evaporation alone. They wanted to make sure they gots theirs - so that, on top many back to back low rain total years have left us in our current pickle. Rain dance anyone? The Lake was in worse shape in the 70's than now but one more winter like the last 3 and we will once again be viewing piers that stop far short of the water's edge.

Fandango, alot of the problems with Lucerne's Harbor is the siltation building up that comes from Lucerne Creek. My understanding is that the County is working on the permit from ACE to dredge the Harbor opening. I've heard it is part of the permit they are going for with regards to the 3rd Avenue Plaza project.

Gee
written by bearer, November 07, 2009

I guess the actual lake level is not relavant to your propaganda spiel, is it?

That big long http thingy I posted is the actual recorded lake levels from 1913 to now.

But we do not want facts to get in the way of our agenda, do we?

Navigating Clear Lake at low level
written by Tony, November 07, 2009

I strongly suggest boaters new, or unfamiliar to low lake level navigation at Clear Lake, purchase a good map with depth and contour markings, especially for areas like Cache Creek, Rattlesnake Island, and Rodman Slough. The public launch facilities around the lake are very shallow at this time, so have that main motor in the upright position when you first launch, then move away from the launch area out into deeper water with your trolling motor, oar, or push pole, before lowering the unit and starting up. This is a definite measure when launching at the Lucerne Harbor Ramp. Rule of thumb is to have that main motor up when navigating shoreline areas, or entering tributaries. Don't rely on that depth finder, because you'll get stuck long before you realize you're in very shallow water based upon your electronics! smilies/tongue.gif

bearer - that big long thingy you
written by Donna Christopher, November 07, 2009

posted isn't a usable link - so I guess it isn't relevant to your propaganda spiel, is it? When you use the word "we" I can only assume you have a mouse in your pocket or does it really take two of you to post something?

Correst Data
written by ckcoyote, November 07, 2009

Bearer the website only shows levels through 2007. Please don't make accusations without good data. Also 1977 is missing. According to information from the county website on the Rumsey gauge the level was -3.39 in Nov. of 1977. Today the level is .66. That is a lot of water given the amount of shoreline and surface arear Clear Lake has. Also Yolo has to stop taking water when the lake reaches 1.25 Rumsey according to State water regulations. Last Nov. the average was 1.16. Just about a half of foot more than this year. In April the lake averaged 4.16 which was the peak. If they have to stop at 1.25 and given the three foot of evaporation cited by Donna then Yolo did got only a portion of their regular allotment from Clear Lake. Please check the Lake County website under water resources for this and more info.

thanks coyote
written by bearer, November 07, 2009

So the lake level is above rumsey 0.

Perhaps we could have avoided the error if the article made mention of this year compared to an average level this time of year.

The propaganda, the water is gone and we are all going to die in a drought is not news but copying the government bulletens.

The 48% unemployed in the Valley are not unem[ployed because of lack of water from drought, but lack of water from democrat programs to stifle the econmy.

-1

Water rights
written by elarson, November 08, 2009

Since the issue of how much water Yolo Flood gets to take has come up, I suggest those who are interested check out this article which goes into detail about the water rights and how much Yolo Flood can take from Clear Lake: http://lakeconews.com/content/view/789/919/.

Basically, the lake had to measure at least 3.22 feet Rumsey on May 1 for Yolo Flood to get any water at all. The records show the lake was at 4.15 feet Rumsey. But to take their full, 150,000-acre-foot allocation, the lake had to be full, or 7.56 feet Rumsey on May 1, according to the 1978 Solano Decree. The last time Clear Lake was officially full was May 17, 2006.

So, Yolo Flood hasn't been taking more water than usual. The situation is being attributed to low rainfall levels.

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