For Immediate Release: 9/8/2014

Low Water Levels at Folsom Lake SRA Slow Boaters Speed Limit to 5 MPH

Contact:

Rich Preston, Superintendent

Rich.Preston@parks.ca.gov

(916) 988-0205

 

FOLSOM, Calif. – California State Parks is imposing a speed limit of 5 miles per hour (mph) at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area beginning tomorrow, September 9. Water conditions are low enough in many places to make for hazardous boating and reduce public safety.  Low water levels have also left five of the seven boat ramps dry.

“State Parks wants to make sure our visitors are aware of the increase in underwater hazards as a result of the low water levels this month,” said Rich Preston, California State Parks Superintendent, Folsom Sector. “We urge people to exercise extreme caution while boating on the lake, both for their safety and to prevent damage to their watercraft.”

The 5 mph speed limit is necessary because the low water level has brought rocks on the lake bed closer to the surface, placing boats in danger of being scratched or worse in some of the more shallow areas. Currently the only launch ramp available for boaters is the Hobie Cove ramp located at Browns Ravine in El Dorado County.

Rattlesnake Bar, Granite Bay, Folsom Point and Peninsula boat ramps are all out of the water and closed to boat launching. The Granite Bay Ramp Low Water ramp will surface and should be accessible in about a week.          

The day-use and picnic areas at Folsom Lake all remain open however it is a long walk to the water’s edge.

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area office is at 7755 Folsom-Auburn Road in Folsom. For more information, call (916) 988-0205. For boating and water safety tips, please visit the Division of Boating and Waterways website.




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