Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
December 4, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
Lime Saddle ramp closes
By Paul Wellersdick, staff writer
Lake Oroville is low, the Lime Saddle launch ramp is closed and water still pours out faster than it comes in due to lack of rain and state water contracts.
According to the Department of Water Resources, the lake is draining at 3,900 cubic feet per second and pulling in 1,300 cfs.
Darla Cook, spokeswoman for Forever Resorts, the owner of the Lake Oroville Marina at Lime Saddle said the company is spending extra cash to keep up.
"This time of year is our off peak time, but I spoke with the general manager. They're spending a lot on chasing the water level," she said "We're spending extra money on fuel and electricity."
The extra costs are part of the business, she said.
"Were in the marina business, we're very familiar, very cognizant of what's going to happen with the water levels," she said.
The marina is still providing shuttle service to customers during business hours, including a shuttle service on land for mobility impaired and handicapped people, she said.
"There is still access, to our boats," she said.
The lake levels should recover by next spring in time for the on-peak time, Cook said.
"Well if it snows yeah, we're hoping for the levels to return," she said.
Forever Resorts won't start making any improvements until the spring and even then the launch ramp extension that is needed now would be handled by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Cook said.
"That's who would answer that," she said.
Steve Feasel, California Department of Parks and Recreation Oroville sector superintendent said improvements have been made at the lake by the Department of Boating and Waterways. The launch ramp at Bidwell Marina was widened one lane for a 60 foot section. It is not a large project, but an important one to reduce the wait times at the ramp, he said.
"They did a widening project in
The ramp is still in the water and doesn't need an extension yet because it was expanded six or seven years ago, when water levels were lower, he said. Lime Saddle Marina closed its launch ramp last week end, he said. The Department of Boating and Waterways plans to widen the ramp. Either late this fiscal year which lasts until July, or in next fiscal year. There are no plans to extend the ramp at this time, he said.
"Ramp extension is a lot more involved in the permitting and construction," he said. "The widening ones weren't the big dollar ones." The Department of Boating and Waterways did a 20 foot ramp extension at Lime Saddle six or seven years ago. But because of the rate of the drop off at the marina, further extensions would turn into "a major capital outlay," he said.
Although the California Department of Water Resources controls the lake levels rain is mainly to blame for the low lake, Feasel said. "It has to do with lack of rainfall and commitments with the state water contractors, they also have requirements for water quality for fish and salinity," he said.
The lake will recover as it has in the past, he said.
"Well you know I remember three to five years ago, the pineapple express that came though in the spring," he said. "It will take something significant like that."
Lime Saddle will take the biggest hit again if the lake doesn't recover, he said.
"I think that if we get even an average year, it looks like Lime Saddle will be hit," he said. "But it won't take too much water to get the ramps serviceable."
The car top launches are the first to dry up, he said.
"Dark canyon has been out since the lake was at 730 feet (elevation) Nelson Bar has to be in the 800's it is at 702 right now and going down probably at least 12 inches in the last few days," he said Friday.
As of Monday the lake was at 700 feet and dropping six inches to a foot a day, according to DWR. There are no plans to extend the car top launch ramps either, he said.
"There's nothing on the front burner for the car tops," he said.
Linda Solomon DWR's chief operator at
"There is not a lot of snow pack, we started out low and we're here where were at," she said. "There is very little water up and down the state."
Last year at this time the
The water in
Water districts in nearby areas account for 1,900 cubic feet per second of the 3,900 cfs that is released from the lake, the other 2,000 cfs goes down stream in the Feather River which eventually feeds the delta to satisfy salinity requirements and pipelines to
The Western Canal Water District manages the western and lateral canals that also provide agricultural water, she said. This time of year they are flooding the fields, duck estuaries and wet lands, she said. Every year is unique and difficult to predict west coast weather, she said.
"I can say this. In 2002 and 2003 we were at same elevation as now and late winter rains were able to fill the lake, she said. "We could go to getting a normal fill value to completely filling the lake."
If the lake doesn't recover, the water contractors will adjust their allotments, she said. During the winter DWR will survey rain and snow pack levels and make adjustments based on available water. Solomon compared it to household water usage.
"I'm going to give your house 10 acre feet, if it doesn't rain, you get five," she said. "If we don't have it how can we give it?"
DWR cannot slow the draining of the lake. As the lake gets lower there is less surface area and it loses elevation faster, making it appear to be draining faster even though it may be draining less acre feet than in the summer when the lake is full, she said.
Water quality doesn't suffer, she said.
"It's very good water," she said. "It's the best water in the state."
Most of the water in
"It's a misconception, as to were the water of
The amount that rolls through the Feather into the delta is dependant on seasonal environmental requirements based on fish species, she said.
"We're doing our best to fill the lake, but we're at the mercy of Mother Nature."
All the lakes in the north state have the same problem. Paradise Irrigation District is currently at 59 percent of its storage according to http://www.paradiseirrigation.com/. Shasta is at 38 percent of its storage, Lake Folsom is at 24 percent and
DWR's California Water News is distributed to California Department of Water Resources management and staff, for information purposes, by the DWR Public Affairs Office. For reader's services, including new subscriptions, temporary cancellations and address changes, please use the online page: http://listhost2.water.ca.gov/mailman/listinfo/water_news. DWR operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs. Inclusion of materials is not to be construed as an endorsement of any programs, projects, or viewpoints by the Department or the State of
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