As of noon on Wednesday the lake level was 2.64 feet on the Rumsey Gauge and slowly rising. All the public boat ramps on Clear Lake are now open for public use. These include the Third and Fifth street ramps in Lakeport and the Lakeside County Park ramp. At Redbud Park in Clearlake, one lane is open for launching. The Lucerne public ramp is also open.
Just a month ago, authorities were debating whether all public ramps would have to be closed as lake levels dropped to near negative 1.0 Rumsey. But a month of heavy rain has silenced that talk.
On Dec. 1 the lake level stood at negative 0.6. It has risen to 0 Rumsey nine days later. Then the deluge came. In one day, the lake jumped a full foot.
“We did think the early part of the rainy season would be wet,” said Accuweather.com expert meteorologist Ken Clark. “We’re not so sure after that.”
Another patch of wet weather arrived on Wednesday of this week, causing optimistic chatter about above average rainfall. Meteorologists, however, are taking a more cautious approach.
“We certainly have had above average rain,” Clark noted, “but the spigot is off for now.”
The earliest he anticipates another round of precipitation is next weekend. Still, Clear Lake should approach 3.0 on the Rumsey gauge, thanks to run off related to the earlier storms.
Boaters should use care when out on the lake as there are still floating trees and other debris.
As for the long term picture, there is some reason for optimism. Accuweather.com predicts a winter rain season that will fall within 10 percent of normal, plus or minus.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Clark said, “but it’s a good start.”
Dave Faries contributed to this article.
