LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As forecasters had predicted, Clear Lake topped flood stage overnight, ahead of another day of heavy rain expected on Thursday.
The United States Geological Survey said Clear Lake passed the flood stage mark – 9 feet Rumsey – Wednesday night after hovering close to the mark for several hours.
At one point the lake crossed the flood stage and rolled back slightly before rising once again, according to the US Geological Survey stream gauge on Clear Lake.
The high water and resulting safety conditions led the city of Clearlake to close the last of its open public boat ramps at Redbud Park’s Thompson Harbor on Wednesday.
Along with Clearlake, all public boat ramps in the city of Lakeport and the unincorporated county also are closed, officials said.
In Lakeport, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said his officers were stepping up enforcement of the area of Esplanade, which was being closed off to nonresidents. He said residents of the area were complaining about drivers speeding through the area and accessing the lake from that part of the city.
The wet conditions also left some roadways closed due to flooding, including Scotts Valley Road at Highway 20, Lakeshore Boulevard from Hammond to Stokes avenues, and Laurel Dell Road from Scotts Valley Road to Mid Lake Road, according to the Lake County Department of Public Works.
Rainfall amounts were less on Wednesday, ranging from close to 2 inches throughout the day in the Cobb area, almost an inch and a half in Middletown, and nearly an inch each in Hidden Valley, Lower Lake and Upper Lake, according to the National Weather Service.
A flood warning remains in effect for Lake County through Saturday morning. Along with the flood warning, a wind advisory will be in effect for Lake County from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
Rain also is in the forecast on Friday, with forecasters predicting a break in the rain that’s expected to last from a clear and sunny weekend through Wednesday.
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Clear Lake passes flood stage; flood watch in effect through Saturday
- Elizabeth Larson
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