LAKE COUNTY >> A wild start to the weekend with wind gusts, crashing waves and periods of rain was just the start. Forecasts for the coming days suggest the weather will have no mercy on us.
Mike Kochasic, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Sacramento said Clear Lake’s levels will remain stable over the weekend, but will climb from 9.5 feet to 10.5 feet on the Rumsey gauge on late Sunday into Monday.
The lake will rise with another storm system, barreling in from the Pacific ocean, which will likely drop two inches of rain by Wednesday, and another two inches by next weekend.
The rising waters have begun to affect major infrastructure in downtown Lakeport, Clearlake and around the lake. Lakeport Police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office put out several public notifications yesterday warning of major flooding in and around Library Park.
Winds have also taken a toll. One LPD notification reported waves reaching four feet high slamming into the existing barriers in the park. As a result, “there is absolutely no admittance into the park area due to the extreme danger.”
“The waves are pretty strong down at the park,” said LPD Lt. Jason Ferguson. “We have officers out there monitoring the progress in the flooded areas.”
According to Kochasic, winds will continue as the encroaching storm arrives. Yesterday’s winds gusted between 15-25 miles per hour.
The windy lake also washed debris onto Lakeshore Boulevard, closing several low-lying sections along the water. Brown St. in Clearlake again joined the list of flooded roadways, as well.
Crews raced the clock Friday afternoon on Highway 175, the Hopland Grade, scooping out a hillside that was beginning to slip. Erosion loosened the ground beneath a power line on Lakeshore Boulevard in Lakeport, just North of Park Way. The line fell and the surrounding stretch of Lakeshore was closed.
Clear Lake hasn’t reached 10.5 feet since 1998, when the lake peaked at 11.44, and Pilar and Ryan White, owners of White & Sons Boatworks are concerned the levels will affect boats and docks along the lake.
“The level of lakes could come in and float the boat away,” Pilar said, referring to boats that rest on lifts, many of which are already in contact with the high waters. “Those boats need to be tethered up.”
Due to their business of emergency boat and dock service around the lake, White & Sons has some clearance to enter the lake to conduct their business. Pilar said their business has towed some boats and extended pilings to prevent floating docks from breaking free.
White & Sons prepared for high lake levels weeks ago, but they fear the forecasted 10.5 feet on the Rumsey Gauge will likely cause more damage to their already flooded shop and marina.
