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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Boaters are urged to use particular caution and lower their speeds near shore due to the lake level.
Thanks to recent storms, the lake reached — and surpassed — the “full” level of 7.56 feet Rumsey, the special measure Clear Lake, late last week.
Then, late Friday night, the United States Geological Survey’s gauge on Clear Lake showed that the level passed 8 feet Rumsey, which is the “monitor” stage. Flood stage is at 9 feet Rumsey and above.
On Monday, Lake County Water Resources said that the high lake level activates a requirement in county recreation Ordinance 3065.
Passed by the Board of Supervisors in August 2017 in order to address safety concerns during times of high water levels, Ordinance 3065 requires idle speed when boating within one-quarter mile or less from the shore of Clear Lake once the lake reaches monitor stage.
The county said “idle speed” is defined as operating a motorboat at a speed that does not produce a wake, protecting shoreline property and infrastructure from harmful wave action.
Ordinance 3065’s requirements are activated when the lake level is 8 feet Rumsey or above for at least a 24-hour period.
On Monday night, the lake was at 8.08 feet Rumsey.
The county reported that violating the ordinance constitutes a misdemeanor and may result in a fine not to exceed $500, or up to six months imprisonment in the Lake County Jail.
Once the lake level drops to 7.9 feet Rumsey or below for 24 hours, the Ordinance 3065 requirements for idle speed will be deactivated, the county reported.
In addition to keeping an eye on their speed, boaters are advised to use extra caution when operating motorboats throughout Clear Lake due to floating and submerged debris hazards resulting from recent storm events.
The county said floating and submerged debris such as trees, branches, full or partial floating docks, abandoned or detached boats, trash and other objects can cause significant damage, particularly when coming into contact with boats operating at normal to significant speed.
“Boaters should remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings and maintain a safe, slower speed when boating throughout all of Clear Lake this time of year,” the county said in its report on the lake level.
For more information, or to report in-lake hazards such as debris, floating docks, or missing or found hazard buoys, please contact the Water Resources Department at 707-263-2344 or email at water.resources@lakecountyca.gov.
Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
