Category Archives: Boating

Boating, Fish, Rafting, safety, Video, Water, Wildlife

Water flow great for rafting on the American River

For the first time in three years, the rafting industry has a chance to make a comeback. Water flow on the South Fork of the American River has returned to normal levels.

Drought seriously reduced the amount of water on the South Fork in previous years. Chili Bar Dam controls the water flow on the South Fork. Three years ago water released from the dam was reduced. Rafters could only float the South Fork five days out of the week for only three hours a day. This year Chili Bar Dam is releasing a steady flow of water seven days a week.

The higher water flow is also boosting business along the South Fork of The American River. Sierra Whitewater Rafting says when there is steady flow of water coming out of the dam, the company can now book multiple trips every day. This reduces crowding and allows flexible raft trip times for travelers looking to do a day trip.

More at abc10.com >>>

Boating, Rafting, safety, Water

River rescuers prepare for busy season in Sacramento region

As swimming weather arrives, local officials say they’re hoping to avoid a repeat of last summer, when more than a dozen people drowned on the American and Sacramento rivers – twice the average yearly toll.

Rescuers said the drought and dropping water levels opened up new sections of beach, luring some people farther out into river channels and toward sudden drop-offs, where strong currents swept them to their deaths.

That was especially true at a small section of Tiscornia Beach, a popular swimming area at the confluence of the region’s two big rivers.

Now, after seasonal rains and water releases from Folsom Dam, the Sacramento and American rivers have surged, running deeper and faster than last year. That poses a threat, too, said John Mohamed, a training officer and team leader for the Drowning Accident Rescue Team, commonly called DART.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Fish, Rafting, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Sacramento County officials: American River is running fast so use caution

The American River is running higher than it has in years from Folsom to Sacramento, resulting in closed access points and encroachment on beaches.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation increased water releases from Folsom Dam to 15,000 cubic feet per second this week to make room for rain expected to begin on Thursday and continue through the weekend.

The increase flow from Folsom Lake has produced a faster-running river and led to cautions from Sacramento County officials. Sacramento County Regional Parks officials are discouraging boating, rafting and swimming in the American River.

Access points at Howe and Watt avenues on the American River Parkway are closed to vehicle traffic. A detour near Sailor Bar, mile 21.5 on the bike trail, is in place for bicyclists and pedestrians. Boat launches at Upper Sunrise and Sailor Bar are closed due to the increased flow.

At the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers in downtown Sacramento, Discovery Park beaches – where a week ago anglers tried their luck from shore – were inundated on Wednesday. Along the bank, cautionary signs warned “HIGH FLOWS: Raft, swim, or boat at your own risk.”

More at SacBee.com >>>
Bike Trail, Boating, Fish, Rafting, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Police Urge Caution Near American River As Folsom Dam Releases Increase

Police are urging people near the American River in the Cal Expo area to seek higher ground.

A Sacramento Police helicopter could be heard flying over the area Monday, broadcasting a recorded precautionary message urging people near the river to move to higher ground.

The recent storm has prompted the Bureau of Water Reclamation to increase the rate of water being released from Folsom Lake. A powerful storm brought heavy amounts of rain and snow to the foothills and Sierra, which sharply increased water levels.

More at CBSLocal.com >>>

Boating, Fish, Rafting, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

‘Above average’ rain to trigger more water releases from Folsom Dam

“It looks like the storm door is opening,” California Department of Water Resources Chief Hydrologist Maury Roos said.

The storms are expected to help increase California’s water supply.

“If the forecasts are right, we’ll get above average precipitation for the month of March,” Roos explained.

That’s good news, especially for the Sierra where yesterday’s survey in Phillips, California revealed snowpack levels are at just 85 percent of average for this time of year.

“Obviously, El Niño is not living up to expectations,” Water Resources Snow Survey Chief Frank Gehrke said.

But the prospect of more snow in the Sierra could mean more snowmelt into the American River, leading to higher water levels at Folsom Lake. That’s why the Federal Bureau of Reclamation is looking to make adjustments for the release of water from Folsom Dam.

“Based on this being a widespread storm, we do expect some increased runoff,” the Bureau’s spokesperson Louis Moore said.

The Bureau is anticipating additional releases from Folsom Dam in the days ahead.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Fish, Rafting, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Residents Caught Off Guard by Increased Flows into American River

The American River looked very different Tuesday – higher and faster than the days prior – because of increased flows from the Folsom and Nimbus dams.

Some along the river think the sudden, higher, faster combination could be trouble.

“The water is moving faster, there are drop offs, the bottom of that river is not even,” angler Rich Dyba said. “Unless you really know the area and you know where you can wade, it can be real dangerous real quick.”

The Bureau of Reclamation says the releases, which haven’t seen this level since 2012, are necessary.

“Right now, we are releasing 7,000 cubic feet per second of water down the lower American River. That’s about twice what we were releasing about this time yesterday,” bureau spokesperson Shane Hunt said.

More at Fox40.com >>>

Boating, Fish, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Folsom Lake increases water outflow despite CA drought

Folsom Lake is nearly doubling the amount of water it lets out through its dam as water officials look to make room for the above average Sierra snowpack and future storms.

The lake is currently at 116 percent of its historical average for this time of year and is 61 percent full.

Officials with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages Folsom Lake levels, worry too much water could cause a safety issue that could lead to flooding downriver.

In December, the lake reached an all-time low. Since then, it’s added more than four times as much water.

“We can’t hold onto all of it,” said Shane Hunt, a Bureau of Reclamation Public Affairs Officer. “We’re going to see more inflows come in than the reservoir can take, even if it doesn’t rain anymore, just from the snowpack. You can’t hold on to every drop.”

The outflow on Tuesday night increased from 1,750 to 3,000 cubic feet per second.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Boating, Events, Fish, History, Rafting, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Folsom Lake level reaches important milestone

Sunday Jan. 31 will be remembered as the day Folsom Lake recovered.

In less than two months, Folsom Lake has gone from the lowest level in its 60-year history to above average for this time of year.

According to preliminary data from the California Department of Water Resources, Folsom Lake rose from below average to above average sometime between 4 and 5 a.m. Sunday.

As of 5 a.m., Folsom Lake held 507,193 acre feet (AF) of water. The average for Jan. 31 is 506,849 AF.

An acre foot of water will supply the average household for a year.

On Sunday morning, the lake level stood at 418 feet above sea level, roughly 70 feet higher than when it bottomed out on Dec. 4 with just 135,561 AF.

Like it or not, Folsom Lake will likely soon shift roles from water storage to flood control.

More at News10.net >>>

Boating, Fish, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Speed restrictions dropped as Folsom Lake levels rise

Folsom Lake surpassed the 400-foot elevation mark Monday, allowing park rangers to drop the 5 mph speed limit at the popular boating area.

The reservoir was sitting at 403 feet as of 3 a.m. Tuesday and continued to rise as runoff from recent storms poured down the North, Middle and South Forks of the American River.

For the past week, the lake was rising an average of two feet per day, according to the California Data Exchange.

The 5 mph speed limit was implemented on July 13 when the lake dropped below 400 feet, cutting the summer recreation season short.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Fish, Rafting, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Thanks El Niño! 44-foot rise of Folsom Lake offers hope for California’s worst ever drought

California lake levels are rising as fast as the stock market is falling, with Folsom Lake east of Sacramento rising an astonishing 44 feet in just over a month and Lake Oroville, the second most expansive water storage facility in the state rising another 20 feet.

Early December saw Folsom Lake, just off Highway 50 on the way up to South Lake Tahoe, dwindle to the hydrological equivalent of a mud puddle.

It reached its lowest levels since they started filling it up after building the dam of around 349 feet above sea level.

Today, it has risen over 44 feet to just under 393 feet above sea level.

More at SFGate.com >>>