For Immediate Release: 7/10/2015

5 MPH Boat Speed Limit Imposed at Folsom Lake

Contact:

Name: Richard Preston

Email: Rich.Preston@parks.ca.gov

Phone (916) 988-0205

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks is imposing a speed limit of 5 miles per hour (mph) at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area beginning Monday, July 13. Water levels are low enough in many places at the state park to make for hazardous boating.

“Visitors are welcome to come out and enjoy Folsom Lake,” said Superintendent Richard Preston of California State Parks. “We want to make sure our visitors are aware of the increase in underwater hazards as a result of the low water levels. We urge people to exercise extreme caution while boating on the lake, both for their safety and to prevent damage to their watercraft.”

The speed restriction 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. It is critical for boaters to exercise caution and to keep a proper lookout for hazards.

Low water levels have also left four of the five boat ramps dry. By Monday, July 13the only launch ramp available for boaters will be 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 Low Water Ramp will surface and should be accessible in about a week to ten days.

The day use and picnic areas at Folsom Lake all remain open. However, the public is advised that it is a long walk to the water’s edge. 

The low water speed limit was last implemented Aug. 9, 2014 and lifted Dec. 19, 2014.  

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area office is at 7755 Folsom-Auburn Road in Folsom.  For more information on park amenities, please visit California State Park’s website at www.parks.ca.gov or call (916) 988-0205.

For boating safety information and laws, please visit www.BoatCalifornia.com.

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California’s Drought

California has been dealing with the effects of drought. To learn about all the actions the state has taken to manage our water system and cope with the impacts of the drought, visit Drought.CA.Gov.

Every Californian should take steps to conserve water. Find out how at
SaveOurWater.com.




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