LAKE COUNTY >> Lacilia Botello admits the flooding has her a little on edge.
Not that business has slowed, mind you. Despite the lake hitting 10.6 on the Rumsey Gauge as of Wednesday afternoon, diners continue to stop by The Spot on the lakeshore in Clearlake for burgers and fries, drinks and the view. The parking lot is safe for now and the popular restaurant sits above trouble.
No, what’s happening outside the The Spot troubles her more.
“We have a $30,000 dock that is going to snap at any moment,” she explained.
Restaurants close to Clear Lake are coping with the flooding in different ways. At Park Place in Lakeport, city officials closed parking lots adjacent to the restaurant, but it has slowed the pace inside. On Tuesday night Park Place appeared as busy as weekend dinner service. Meanwhile a Facebook post showed the lake lapping over an outdoor patio at Richmond Park Bar & Grill in the Rivieras. And The Boathouse in Nice shut down after water crept into the bar.
The bar remained open, serving drinks to a steady crowd — perhaps until last night.
“I think we’re on our last leg,” said bartender Billie Jo Alameda on Wednesday. “We’re probably just going to throw in the towel.”
Until the lake encroaches on the property, however, flooding seems to be a draw. The Boathouse has been busier in February than expected, according to Alameda. And The Spot has been humming, despite the water flowing over its outdoor concert area.
“People come here to see how high the water is,” Botello pointed out. “It’s bringing more people in.”
Staff at The Spot have been posting visual evidence of the flooding’s progress on their Facebook page. At TNT Bar & Grill in Lakeport, however, the road in front of the restaurant remains relatively dry.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the place is in the clear.
“In front is not flooded,” reported TNT manager Kayhli Baumgartner. “Unfortunately, on either side the road is flooded.”
A favorite gathering spot under normal circumstances, traffic at TNT has slowed somewhat due to flooding along Lakeshore Blvd. The restaurant remains open and accessible thanks to detours, but the routing poses challenges.
“You can get here, but it’s a little confusing,” Baumgartner said.
Restaurant report few staffing problems because of the flooding. With rare exceptions, most employees have been able to get to work, although one staff member at The Spot was blocked for three days by a landslide.
Apart from some flooding, closures and potential dock damage, however, most say things could be worse.
“The patio is flooded and waves keep coming up,” Botello pointed out. “But we’re very lucky. We’re not planning on closing.”
