Category Archives: Water

safety, Water

Increased Fees at Folsom Lake and Auburn State Recreation Areas

Parking and boating fees at Folsom Lake and Auburn state recreation areas are increasing.

The fee bumps, which start July 1, are to help maintain the heavily used recreation areas at a time of dire budget reductions and park closures. Changes include a $2 increase to launch power boats.

Among the increases at Folsom:

• Folsom Lake or Lake Natoma power boat launch fee: Current fee $8. New fee, $10.

• Willow Creek day use parking: Current fee, $5. New fee, $10.

• Rattlesnake Bar, Granite Bay, Beals Point, Folsom Point, Brown’s Ravine, Peninsula day use parking: Current fee $10. New fee, $12.

• Beals Point developed campground peak days: Current fee, $30 a night. New fee, $33 a night.

Among the increases at Auburn:

• Lower Lake Clementine power boat launch fee: Current fee, $8. New fee, $10.

• Yankee Jims, Grizzly Bear, Confluence, Long Point Trail parking areas: Current fee: nothing. New fee: $10.

 

Bike Trail, Fire, Rafting, safety, Water

Proposed fire cuts could cut out rescue teams

Sacramento Fire Department’s special operations could be cut out of the 2012-2013 fiscal city budget; affecting several programs whose focus is rescue and public protection.

The water boat rescue program; heavy and confined space rescue; high angle and low angle; and trench rescue teams would be completely eliminated from the department. Three out of four hazmat teams would also disappear.

The SFD’s union said fire fighters respond to almost 80,000 calls each year. Only 500 of those calls are for hazmat, but fire fighters said those are the critical calls.

“You’re talking about vapor releases and liquid toxins that can kill on impact,” said Todd Filburn of Fire Fighters Local 522.

On the American River, families were enjoying the shallow end of the water, but were cautious of the swift and cold currents.

“You have to do your part to be safe, because the time rescuers can get to you, it’s too late,” said father Barry Cookson, who was tying inner tubes together and anchoring the line to a cement brick.

“That way the kids just float in a circle and you don’t lose anyone, because you will lose someone in the river.”

More at News10.net >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

Newly opened river stretch blends natural, manmade thrills

The historic Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge serves as a reminder of the rich history of the Auburn area shortly after the rafts hit the water just past the confluence of the North fork and the Middle fork of the American River.

After a few tame rapids and miles of beautiful scenery, the Auburn Dam site and the man-made rapids alongside the Placer County Water Agency pump house are a nod to what those in the rafting business hope is a bright future for the area.

Eight whitewater rafting companies were granted permits to a new route on the Middle Fork in mid-May and commercial trips will likely take place with regularity throughout the summer months.

Norm Schoenhoff has owned Whitewater Excitement since its inception in 1979. The majority of the company’s business takes place on the South Fork of the American River, starting in Lotus. But he believes the quick trip down the Middle Fork could be a great option for folks looking for a relaxing float on weeknights or a quick weekend trip.

“There are really only a few rapids – nothing over Class II, maybe Class III,” Schoenhoff said. “It would be a good family trip or a good trip for kids.”

Guides have the option of starting near the Highway 49 Bridge, or heading up the Quarry Trail via van and putting in on the Middle Fork. The water moves along at a leisurely pace, allowing boaters to take in the remarkable landscape and wildlife. The peaceful river winds through the steep canyon just below Auburn and gives even longtime Auburn residents a unique perspective of the area.

More at AuburnJournal.com >>>

Bike Trail, Fire, safety, Water

Grass Fires Break Out In Sacramento Overnight

 

Despite the cooler temperatures overnight a couple of grass fires broke out overnight in Sacramento keeping fire fighters busy.

One fire started around 2:00 Monday morning near the levy at the end of 10th Street near the American River.

The blaze burned nearly half an acre before crews got it under control.

Officials say the fire was likely started in a homeless camp.

More at cbslocal.com >>>

Fish, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Huge gates in Delta stuck open, posing threat to migrating salmon

A pair of massive water diversion gates in the Delta near Walnut Grove has become stuck open due to a mechanical problem, posing a potential threat to juvenile salmon migrating to the ocean.

The Delta Cross Channel Gates, operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, are used to divert Sacramento River water into the interior of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and then to Reclamation export pumps near Tracy.

This time of year, the gates are normally closed on weekdays to ensure migrating salmon are not diverted from their migratory path in the Sacramento River, and opened on weekends to accommodate boat traffic.

But on Tuesday, while officials were attempting to close the gates after the Memorial Day weekend,one of the two gates could not be closed due to a mechanical problem. So Reclamation has left both gates open while it works on a fix.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Thousands of families pack river for Memorial Day weekend

Thousands of people are expected to pack area rivers this Memorial Day weekend.

Rescue crews will be out at Discovery Park urging rafters and swimmers to wear life jackets in the river.

Drowning Accident Rescue Team President Bob Erickson said he is 90 percent sure his team will be called out to perform a rescue.

Park rangers will be cracking down on those breaking the booze ban.

They will issue citations if necessary.

Sacramento Metro fire officials said 60 percent of the drownings they respond to every year are alcohol-related.

Pool safety is also a big concern, especially for children.

More at KCRA.com >>>
Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Life jacket trade-in planned at area Kohl’s stores in Sacramento region

In advance of the Memorial Day weekend and the start of the summer recreation season, a life jacket trade-in will be held today at Kohl’s store locations in the Sacramento region.

The event, now in its 13th year, is sponsored by the California Department of Boating and Waterways, Radio Disney and UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

The life jacket trade-in gives parents the opportunity to have life jackets inspected by professionals. Life jackets that have been outgrown or are no longer serviceable will be exchanged for new, properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets while supplies last.

For those who don’t own life jackets, the American River Parkway Foundation announced that it will purchase and supply life vests for “Kids Don’t Float,” a program that lends life vests to children during the summer at seven access points along the American River.

More at ModBee.com >>>
Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

Wet April boosts State Water Project deliveries

The State Water Project should be able to deliver 65 percent of requested water this year, the Department of Water Resources says. This is up from the 60 percent delivery estimate – or allocation – announced on April 16.

Originally, DWR projected in November that it would be able to supply 60 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet of SWP water requested, but a dry December, January and February dropped that figure to 50 percent.

A wet March and above-average reservoir storage boosted the allocation back up to 60 percent in April, and Wednesday’s increase to 65 percent is due to April’s wetter-than-usual weather.

A 65 percent allocation is not unusually low.

Wet conditions last year allowed the SWP to deliver 80 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet requested by the 29 agencies that supply more than 25 million Californians and nearly a million acres of irrigated farmland. An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons of water, enough to cover one acre to a depth of one foot. The final allocation was 50 percent in 2010, 40 percent in 2009, 35 percent in 2008, and 60 percent in 2007. The last 100 percent allocation – difficult to achieve even in wet years due to pumping restrictions to protect threatened and endangered fish – was in 2006.

April rainfall was 167 percent of normal in the mountainous area between the American River and Lake Shasta that produces much of California’s water supply. The April rainfall total in the San Joaquin River basin was 137 percent of average.

More at CentralValleyBusinessTimes.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

Modest flows bode well for summer river rafting season

California must have some of the hardest-working water in the world. Our mountains scrape abundant snowfall out of the sky to offer a playground for skiers and snowboarders.

Then, as snow melts in spring, runoff gushes down river canyons and provides thrills to rafters and kayakers.

Ultimately, of course, the stuff offers habitat for fish (and anglers), generates hydro power, gives us working showers, irrigates farms and provides so many other blessings into the bargain.

Each whitewater season has its own profile. For 2012, late spring and summer river-running looks to be benign, filled with sun and fun, reasonably safe, and of surprisingly long duration. Especially if you compare 2012 with last year, when a double- deep snowpack created an embarrassment of riches. Too many rivers ran too cold and too high for too long. It was mid-summer before recreational users could really enjoy their sports. In contrast, this year the watchword is: Get out there right now, and begin enjoying yourself.

“Last season, all our whitewater outfitters had a pretty slow start,” said Dan Crandall, who runs Current Adventures kayak school and The River Store on the popular south fork of the American River at Coloma. “But this year, many rivers that have little or no dam control, like the Carson, are sweet and runnable right now. And other drainages that are metered with dams and reservoirs, such as the south fork and the Trinity, have enough water to provide good recreation all summer long.”

More at SacBee.com >>>