This year’s abundant snowfall and spring snowmelt will result in swift and cold river flows that can create treacherous conditions for all recreationists – waders, swimmers, paddlers, boaters, anglers and even hikers cooling off at the water’s edge.

The utility and state departments cautioned that the water content of California’s mountain snowpack was at 163 percent of normal as of April 1 – the highest amount since 1995.

As warmer weather and longer days begin melting snow in mountainous regions, water temperatures will continue to drop and flows will continue to rise in waterways and reservoirs.

Reservoir operators have begun increasing water releases in anticipation of filling later in the spring. Most PG&E reservoirs are expected to fill and water to flow over dam spillways in the May through July period.

“Those planning outings near mountain streams, rivers and reservoirs need to be extra vigilant and take appropriate safety measures,” said Alvin Thoma, director of PG&E’s power generation department. 'Water flows will fluctuate with the warming and cooling of the day so always be prepared for a change in conditions.”

“Even experienced swimmers can get caught in swift river flows,” said DBW’s Acting Director Lucia C. Becerra. “Stay safe by checking local conditions before taking a boating trip, wear a life jacket and avoid alcohol.”

“Spring is a wonderful time to visit our beautiful lakes and fast moving rivers,” said Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks. “But please read the safety tips in this water safety warning because making a mistake could kill you or a loved one.”

Here are some safety tips:

Know the water

• Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the "gasp reflex" causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.

• Cold water entering the ear canal can cause vertigo and disorientation. This may confuse swimmers, causing them to venture deeper into the water.

Know your limits

• Swimming in open water is more difficult than in a swimming pool - people tire more quickly and can get into trouble.

• Cold water causes impairment leading to fatalities. It reduces body heat 25-30 times faster than air does at the same temperature.

• Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous.

Wear a life jacket

• Conditions change quickly in open water and even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their skills when boating or swimming. Wearing a life jacket can increase survival time.

• A life jacket can provide some thermal protection against the onset of hypothermia and keep you afloat until someone else can rescue you.

Parental supervision

• Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults.

• Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: they need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.

Know the law

• A 2010 boating law states that children under age 13 must wear a life jacket when on a moving vessel that is 26 feet or less in length.

• Every person on board a personal watercraft (popularly known as “jet skis”) and any person being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

• It is against the law to operate a boat or water ski with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more. You can be arrested even when your BAC is less than 0.08 percent if conditions are deemed to be unsafe.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Installation of rumble strips from the Lake/Mendocino County line to the junction of Route 20/29 will begin Monday, April 25. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Traffic Solutions of Redding.

Highway 29

– Metal beam guardrail repair at the Saint Helena Creek Bridge and the Lupiyoma Creek Bridge will begin Monday, April 25. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– Metal beam guardrail repair from the Lake Boulevard Overcrossing to the Lucerne Undercrossing will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each

direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

Highway 175

– Metal beam guardrail repair from 2.0 to 3.0 miles west of the junction of Route 29/175 will begin Tuesday, April 26. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect.

Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– Metal beam guardrail repair near Napa Avenue Road will continue through Friday, April 22. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs from the Dry Creek Bridge to Bush Street. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will

be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– AT&T of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an aerial crossing near the Mendocino Vista Point on Friday, April 22. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Intermittent full road

closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Painting at the South Fork Eel River Bridge will begin Tuesday, April 26. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – NY Blastco Inc. of Gardenia.

Highway 20

– Highway widening 2.5 miles east of Gravel Pit Road will begin Monday, April 25. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate

five-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti Inc. of Petaluma.

– Installation of rumble strips from the eastern Cold Creek Bridge to the Lake/Mendocino County line will begin Monday, April 25. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Traffic Solutions of Redding.

Highway 101

– Slide repairs north of the Korean War Veterans War Memorial Bridge will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and speed is

reduced to 25 miles per hour. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– A pavement repair project from the Robinson Creek Bridge to Uva Drive will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day from 8 p.m. Sunday through 3 p.m.

Friday. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Northbound ramps at Calpella (Exit 555A) and Route 20 (Exit 555B) as well as southbound ramps at Route 20 (Exit 555B) will be intermittently closed. Motorists will be advised to use an alternate route and may experience minor delays. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– Repair of a slipout from Reeves Canyon Road to Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists

may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

Highway 101

– Installation of rumble strips from Big Trails Drive to the Ten Mile Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Traffic Solutions of Redding.

– Painting at the Arnold Bridge Overhead will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Certified Coatings Company of Fairfield.

Highway 128

– Slipout repairs 1.2 miles east of Big Oaks Drive will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate

five-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti of Petaluma.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per

week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

Please keep in mind work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans wishes to advise motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

Members of the Highland Springs Trails Volunteers ride up Dead Horse Trail at Highland Springs Recreational Area on Saturday, April 16, 2011, on their way to conduct brush clearing work. Photo courtesy of Kim Riley.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – With Mt. Konocti in the background, 10 riders and members of the Highland Springs Trails Volunteers group made their way up Dead Horse Trail at Highland Springs Recreational Area this past Saturday, April 16.

The group went to brush back the relentless growth of the chaparral, buck brush, chemise and poison oak that threatens to reclaim many of the 30 miles of equestrian and hiking trails that the Highland Springs Trails Volunteers have recovered over the past 10 years.

Chainsaws, fuel, loppers, handsaws, picks and shovels were packed in on horseback.

All of the volunteers tied their mounts to the brush and left them to munch as they headed off for the task at hand.

After several hours of sawing and lopping in the warm sun, mouths parched and stomachs grumbling, the riders made their way back down the trail, out onto Toll Road and back to the horse staging area in the Highland Springs park to enjoy a gourmet meal of hot fajitas, fresh fruit salad, chips and salsa, crackers and cheese, and homemade cookies along with chilled beverages provided by Barbara Claiche and served by other volunteers.

Revived by the fantastic food and drink, the boisterous group swapped stories, watched the dogs play, the horses graze, took a big group sigh and decided that it had been a great day with much accomplished.

Both equestrian and hikers are welcome to all trail work days. The group has members from Sierra Club, Audubon and the California Native Plant Society, as well as multiple different equestrian groups.

This past trail work day hosted a wide range of ages from teenager to senior. All efforts are made to accommodate all volunteers. These trails are kept open by community support and they need your help.

Upcoming Highland Springs Trails Volunteers events include:

• Sunday, May 1: Wildflower hike sponsored by Sierra Club; email Steve Devoto at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a space.

• Sunday, May 15: Highland Springs hike for those hikers who would like to learn the trails. No limit.

• Saturday, May 21: Trail work day open to hikers and riders. The group is making great progress but need more helpful hands. Please RSVP so they can provide enough lunch.

• Sunday, May 22: Highland Springs trail ride for those horseback riders who would like to learn the trails. Limited to 12 riders.

• Saturday, June 11: Trail work day open to hikers and riders. Please RSVP so they can provide lunch.

Starting Wednesday, June 22, the group will resume its very successful Trail Work and Happy Hour. They meet for a couple of hours of evening trail work followed by a bring your favorite snack and drink potluck.

For more information, contact Karen Sullivan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-349-1559, or contact Kim Riley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-245-7468.

The critters got a chance to rest and graze while the humans worked on clearing brush from Dead Horse Trail at Highland Springs Recreational Area on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Photo courtesy of Kim Riley.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at McDonald's on Todd Road in Lakeport.

The group will meet in the meeting room at the back of the restaurant.

Bring your friends and talk about your experiences.

Chip Saucer is back and will be conducting the meeting.

Everyone is welcome – all ages from any planet.

Visit the club's Web site at http://meetup.com/lcflyingsaucerclub. Sign up on the Web site and get meeting reminders.

Call Chip for information at 707-263-3391 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

“Many Americans are trying to make more environmentally conscious decisions, and that is especially at the top of their minds this week, as we near Earth Day 2011,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “There are a lot of things a driver can do to lessen his or her environmental impact while behind the wheel, and those things will also save them some money.”

Go easy on the pedals

The easiest and most effective way to drive “greener” is to simply change one’s driving style.

Instead of making quick starts and sudden stops, go easy on the gas and brake pedals.

If there is a red light ahead, ease off the gas and coast up to it rather than waiting until the last second to brake.

Once the light turns green, accelerate gently rather than making a “jack rabbit” start.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving can reduce a car’s fuel economy up to 33 percent.

Slow down

The fuel efficiency of most vehicles decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Each five miles per hour driven over 60 miles per hour is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas, reports the U.S. Department of Energy.

Keep your car in shape

A car that’s not properly maintained can produce more exhaust emissions and consume more fuel than necessary.

Minor adjustments and repairs can effect emissions and fuel economy by up to four percent.

More serious problems, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can reduce gas mileage as much as 40 percent.

Choose a ‘greener’ car

When shopping for a new car, consider the wide variety of “green” vehicle options now available.

Also, if a household has more than one car, use the “greener” one for errands.\

For more tips on greener driving visit www.aaa.com/greenerdriving.

Think and plan ahead

Try to combine multiple trips into one. Several short trips starting with a cold engine each time can use twice as much gas as a single longer trip when the engine is warm.

Also, plan the route in advance to drive the fewest miles, eliminate backtracking and avoid heavy traffic times and areas.

The free AAA TripTik Mobile iPhone app can help by giving motorists turn-by-turn navigation with audible directions. In addition, the app lists daily fuel costs at gas stations near a user’s location.

The sale will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum, 16435 Main St. in Lower Lake.

This event will occur rain or shine.

Items are being accepted for the sale during the museum’s regular business hours, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

Please, no large appliances or clothing.

For more information or to arrange for a free pick up of items, please call the museum at 707-995-3565.