LAKEPORT >> As of Wednesday, all but two of the public boat ramps on Clear Lake are closed. They include all the county park ramps and all but two ramps at Redbud Park in Clearlake as well as all the ramps at Library Park in Lakeport.
County officials announced the decision shortly after 1:30 p.m.
The ramps will remain closed until the lake level drops below 7.9 feet on the Rumsey Gauge. Two ramps at Redbud Park will remain open for boaters as long as the lake doesn’t reach the flood stage. As of Wednesday afternoon, the lake level was 8.57 on the Rumsey Gauge and holding steady.
The closures are not affecting private ramps. At Library Park, the docks have been removed to prevent damage to the docks during the high water.
The Board of Supervisors have also approved an Urgency Ordinance proposed by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Water Resources Department to immediately reduce the lake-wide speed limit on Clear Lake to 5 mph. The boating speed limit was reduced to minimize wake damage to lakeshore properties and to help ensure the safety of boaters operating among the heavy debris load on the lake surface.
Although the lake level has held steady, streams are still carrying tree limbs and other items capable of damaging boats into the lake. The water remains muddy, making submerged debris difficult to see.
This month the Lake County Sheriff’s Office boat patrol removed two tree trunks measuring over 30 feet long, as well as many smaller branches.
This regulation will remain in effect during the currently declared local disaster due to heavy rains, and as long the lake level is at 7.9 feet Rumsey or higher.
The public will be notified when the boating speed restriction is lifted.
