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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Clear Lake’s dropping water level isn’t just presenting challenges to boaters and causing ramp closures, it’s now making it harder for the Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol to keep its boats on the water, and county officials are asking for help in identifying hazards on the lake.

Clear Lake’s level was -1.54 feet Rumsey, the special measure for the lake, early Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey, or USGS, gauge.

For context, a mean of daily mean values for water years of record for 1913 to 2021 based on USGS data, puts the daily mean lake level for Aug. 27 at 2.31 feet Rumsey.

In 2014, the last serious drought year the state experienced, the lowest recorded lake level was -0.83 feet Rumsey.

The lowest level for Clear Lake in the 1977 drought year was -3.39 feet Rumsey, but the lowest lake depth recorded, -3.50 feet Rumsey, was in September 1920, the USGS reported.

Historic water level tracking from Lake County Water Resources shows that 2021 is among the four years with the lowest lake levels on record since 1873 — and at the rate it’s doing, it could end up with the record.

These conditions have prompted ramp closures around Clear Lake as water levels are too low to safely launch in some areas.

Sgt. Andy Davidson, who heads up Marine Patrol, said the division pulled its boats out of Braito’s Marina in Buckingham more than a month and a half ago.

The Marine Patrol is headquartered at Braito’s, but with water in the slips drying up, Davidson said they moved their boats to another location in the Kelseyville area, which he did not want to disclose.

He said they’re considering moving to the use of private docks if conditions continue to be challenging.

“I am going to have boats on the lake, no matter what,” he said.

The Marine Patrol has nine vessels, keeps six on the water in summer, and two to three on the lake in the winter, run by five part-time staffers and a volunteer, Davidson said.

He said his goal right now is to keep a few boats on the water through the winter, with the seasonal minimum staffing set to start soon.

Davidson said that in addition to Marine Patrol’s boats, State Parks also has a boat as does Northshore Fire, although Northshore’s boat isn’t in the water.

He said the big worry is how to get the Marine Patrol boats out of the water as conditions continue to become more shallow and more ramps close down. If the boat ramps at Fifth Street in Lakeport and in Clearlake Oaks, it will be a problem.

The year 2014, the most recent serious drought year, was “nothing like this,” said Davidson, and based on information he’s received — and which USGS numbers confirm — it’s not been since 1977 that the county has had such serious low water issues.

Having to move boats around to have enough water to launch also is delaying Marine Patrol’s response, Davidson said.

Because a lot of boat ramps are closing, Davidson said there has been less boat traffic than usual, but it’s still a lot. He added it also was a pretty normal season for boat crashes and accidents.

“It’s an interesting season,” he said.

Marine Patrol has to remain available to respond due to kayaks and other small craft still being able to get out on the water, Davidson said.

Officials report on ramp closures

Davidson and Lake County Water Resources reported that several public ramps are now closed.

Lucerne Harbor Park and Keeling Park in Nice were among the first to close this summer due to their shallow ramp depths, -1 foot Rumsey, and -2 feet Rumsey, respectively.

Crystal Lake Way Extension in north Lakeport, at a depth of 0 feet Rumsey, Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville, -3 feet Rumsey, and the Rodman Slough,-1.1 feet Rumsey, also are closed.

Davidson said Clear Lake State Park also has closed its ramps.

Lakeport’s Third Street boat ramp closed Aug. 2. City Manager Kevin Ingram told Lake County News that this is the first time since the ramp — built in 1984 — has been closed due to low water, although it came close in 2014. The depth at the end of that ramp is -3.6 feet Rumsey.

The city’s Fifth Street boat ramp remains open. The depth at the end of that ramp is -5.3 feet Rumsey, making it the deepest of the public ramps based on county information.

“There are a set of wide ranging prediction models that forecast the lake level to hit its low mark in November somewhere between -2.0 and -4.0 Rumsey,” Ingram said. “Based on staff analysis Fifth Street should not see any issues until the lake levels drop below -2.0. At that time we will need to begin monitoring it more closely to see if there are any issues with the lakebed at the end of the ramp. The issue is not necessarily the ramp itself but the depth of the water further out from the launch as there may not be sufficient depth to safely navigate out into the lake.”

The county’s Clearlake Oaks boat ramp, which has a depth of -3.6 feet Rumsey, remains open, as do the ramps at Redbud Park in Clearlake, where the depth is -3 feet.

Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora said earlier this month that he wasn’t sure how long the city could keep its ramps open.

He said the city is collaborating with Lake County Public Works, which is working on solutions to keep some ramps open, which he said he hoped included Redbud Park’s.

Public Works Director Scott De Leon told Lake County News county and city boat ramps alike are being considered for possible extensions to keep them open and usable in future low-water years.

“The primary consideration is the contour of the lake bottom beyond the end of the ramp and if the water gets deeper. A ramp that met that criteria could be a candidate for an extension that didn’t require extensive dredging — which would require significant environmental review,” De Leon said.

“We have no funding for elaborate topographic studies of each ramp, so we are relying on boaters who use the ramps to provide information. For example, I’ve been advised that a large sand-bar exists beyond the Third Street ramp in Lakeport, so extending that ramp may not be a candidate,” he added.

De Leon said the county would have to rely on grant funds to perform any of the work — including any significant engineering for the development of plans. He didn’t yet have dates for when such work might take place.

County seeks help marking lake hazards

One project Davidson said Marine Patrol has been focusing on recently is placing buoys owned by Lake County Water Resources out in areas where rocks are popping out of the lake due to the low water.

He said the buoys are necessary because people are hitting the rocks and breaking their boat propellers.

Between smoke, COVID-19 and no water, “It’s a tough year,” Davidson said.

Angela DePalma-Dow of Lake County Water Resources said the department has an “Aids to Navigation” page on its website to help boaters be aware of the situation on the lake.

A historic map of hazard areas and buoys is provided on that page, she said.

DePalma-Dow said Water Resources is looking for help marking hazards out on the lake.

She asked that boaters fill out this survey when they come across a hazard, which she said will help Water Resources and Marine Patrol locate and mark hazards.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Despite clear conditions in Lake County on Thursday, the Lake County Air Quality Management District said an expected wind shift Friday will bring periods of higher smoke into the county’s air basin.

Multiple fires including the Monument, Haypress, Dixie, the Caldor and others fires burning throughout the state are creating regional smoke impacts in Lake County and Northern California.

All areas of Lake County experienced good air quality on Friday as smoke from earlier in the week has moved out.

Calmer winds along with relatively stable air were forecast in the region overnight and into early Friday.

The National Weather Service is forecasting patchy smoke in Lake County’s air on Friday and Saturday, with conditions expected to clear Saturday night.

The Air Quality Management District said the air quality forecast for Friday and Saturday will range from “moderate” (Air Quality Index of 51 to 100) to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (AQI of 101 to 151) with areas at higher elevations forecast to experience the most smoke impacts.

The district said current weather models indicate three-hour waves of poorer air quality throughout Friday and Saturday, with the smoke levels increasing in the overnight hours.

Most areas will improve to “moderate” or “good” conditions by Sunday night and early next week, the district reported.

The district said this forecast is based on the latest weather, monitoring, fire activity information and will be updated as necessary.

For more information on air monitoring, visit https://www.lcaqmd.net/ and click on “air monitoring” under the “quick links” section.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lake Area Planning Council is updating the Lake County Regional Transportation Plan and Active Transportation Plan and wants to hear from members of the community and stakeholders about transportation needs, deficiencies and mobility barriers/challenges.

The Regional Transportation Plan, or RTP, is a long-range planning document covering a 20-year time span, with short- and long-term transportation projects across all modes of transportation, including motorized, active transportation and public transit.

It promotes a safe and efficient transportation system and establishes regional goals that support mobility, economic and health goals of the region.

The updated RTP is scheduled to be adopted in December.

The Active Transportation Plan, or ATP, serves as the non-motorized component of the RTP and is the regional vision for improving the bicycle and pedestrian network.

The public is invited to visit the APC interactive website and fill out the survey to help plan for the future of your community.

Survey questions include:

— What are the greatest needs for the region’s transportation system?
— What improvements will help community members get around?
— What barriers need to be addressed?

For questions or comments, please contact John Speka, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-263-7799.

Visit www.lakeapc.org for more information.

A measure to grant state judicial branch employees the first-ever paid state holiday on California Native American Day will head to Gov. Gavin Newsom after the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments on a 73-0 bipartisan vote on Thursday.

The bill, AB 855, was introduced by Assemblyman James C. Ramos (D-Highland), a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe and the first California Native American lawmaker elected in state history.

Judiciary employee holidays are set in the Code of Civil Procedure and a change requires legislation. Other state employees are covered in the Government Code.

AB 855 amends the Code of Civil Procedure to recognize California Native American Day as a judicial holiday to provide proper recognition for the state’s First People and celebrate their history.

It does not create an additional paid holiday for court personnel because Columbus Day would be exchanged for another state holiday, California Native American Day, which is celebrated on the fourth Friday in September.

Court personnel are currently the only state workers receiving the existing Oct. 12 holiday as a paid day off.

The Judicial Council, a sponsor of the proposal, voted in January to seek authority to ensure California Native American Day is designated as a paid holiday for court employees.

AB 855 is sponsored by the Judicial Council of California. It is also supported by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, California Tribal Business Alliance and the Nashville-Enterprise Miwok-Maidu-Nishinam Tribal Council.

Legislative co-authors are Assemblymembers Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Ash Karla (D-San Jose), Elosise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) and Senators Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys), John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control is continuing to care for a large group of dogs of all sizes and breeds that are waiting for new homes.

In addition to new homes, the City of Clearlake Animal Association is seeking fosters for the animals needing homes.

Another way to help is through donations. A wish list has been posted at Amazon and on Chewy. For those who wish to shop local and drop off items, call 707-273-9440 to schedule a delivery or donate at the association’s Facebook page.

Here are this week’s adoptable dogs.

‘Bear’

“Bear” is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix with a short brown coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 3476.

‘Blue Eyed Jack’

“Blue Eyed Jack” is a male German shepherd mix.

He is dog No. 5046.

‘Mara’

“Mara” is a female Rottweiler mix.

She has a short black and tan coat.

He is house-trained.

She is dog No. 4628.

‘Mary J’

“Mary J” is a female pit bull terrier mix.

She has a white and tan coat.

She is house-trained.

She is dog No. 4927.

‘Mitzy’

“Mitzy” is a female shepherd mix with a medium-length black and white coat.

She is dog No. 4648.

‘Oakley’

“Oakley” is a male pit bull terrier mix.

He has a short red and white coat.

He is dog No. 4934.

‘Petey’

“Petey” is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix with a black and white coat.

He is dog No. 4963.

‘Sassy’

“Sassy” is a female American bully mix with a short black coat.

She has been spayed.

She is dog No. 4602.

‘Sissy’

“Sissy” is a female American Staffordshire terrier mix with a black coat.

She is dog No. 4964.

‘Tanisha’

“Tanisha” is a female shepherd mix with a short orange and white coat.

She is dog No. 4647.

‘Terry’

“Terry” is a male Dutch shepherd mix with a smooth brindle coat.

He is dog No. 4880.

‘Trixie’

“Trixie” is a female German shepherd mix with a short black and tan coat.

She is dog No. 5056.

‘Yule’

“Yule” is a male husky with a medium-length black and white coat.

He is dog No. 4432.

Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions and schedule a visit to the shelter.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A head-on collision on Highway 29 Thursday morning claimed a woman’s life.

The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said the wreck occurred shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday on Highway 29 near Argonaut Road outside of Lakeport.

The name of the woman who died was not released Thursday pending the notification of next of kin.

The CHP’s Thursday evening report said Charmaine Garcia, 66, of Kelseyville was traveling northbound on Highway 29, north of Argonaut Road, at approximately 50 miles per hour in her 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The woman who died in the wreck had been traveling southbound at 55 miles per hour in a 1998 Mazda Protege, the CHP said.

For a so-far unknown reason, the CHP said the Mazda’s driver failed to keep her vehicle on the right half of the roadway and drifted to the left into the northbound traffic lane, directly in front of Garcia’s Jeep.

The two vehicles collided head-on, becoming disabled and blocking both lanes of Highway 29, the CHP said.

The CHP said the Mazda’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Garcia suffered major injuries, including a possible broken foot and broken ribs, and was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment, the CHP reported.

Firefighters responding to the crash also reported that the engine compartment of one of the vehicles had been on fire when they arrived on scene, with that fire contained within about 15 minutes, based on radio traffic.

The CHP said Highway 29 was closed temporarily due to the wreck.

Caltrans responded to help set up a detour, with the highway finally reopening shortly after 1 p.m., the CHP said.

Both women were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the report.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.