Community

Details

Written by: Editor

Published: 21 April 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) and California State Parks warn outdoor recreationists to take precautions this spring season.

This year’s abundant snowfall and spring snowmelt will result in swift and cold river flows that can create treacherous conditions for all recreationists – waders, swimmers, paddlers, boaters, anglers and even hikers cooling off at the water’s edge.

The utility and state departments cautioned that the water content of California’s mountain snowpack was at 163 percent of normal as of April 1 – the highest amount since 1995.

As warmer weather and longer days begin melting snow in mountainous regions, water temperatures will continue to drop and flows will continue to rise in waterways and reservoirs.

Reservoir operators have begun increasing water releases in anticipation of filling later in the spring. Most PG&E reservoirs are expected to fill and water to flow over dam spillways in the May through July period.

“Those planning outings near mountain streams, rivers and reservoirs need to be extra vigilant and take appropriate safety measures,” said Alvin Thoma, director of PG&E’s power generation department. 'Water flows will fluctuate with the warming and cooling of the day so always be prepared for a change in conditions.”

“Even experienced swimmers can get caught in swift river flows,” said DBW’s Acting Director Lucia C. Becerra. “Stay safe by checking local conditions before taking a boating trip, wear a life jacket and avoid alcohol.”

“Spring is a wonderful time to visit our beautiful lakes and fast moving rivers,” said Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks. “But please read the safety tips in this water safety warning because making a mistake could kill you or a loved one.”

Here are some safety tips:

Know the water

• Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the "gasp reflex" causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.

• Cold water entering the ear canal can cause vertigo and disorientation. This may confuse swimmers, causing them to venture deeper into the water.

Know your limits

• Swimming in open water is more difficult than in a swimming pool - people tire more quickly and can get into trouble.

• Cold water causes impairment leading to fatalities. It reduces body heat 25-30 times faster than air does at the same temperature.

• Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous.

Wear a life jacket

• Conditions change quickly in open water and even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their skills when boating or swimming. Wearing a life jacket can increase survival time.

• A life jacket can provide some thermal protection against the onset of hypothermia and keep you afloat until someone else can rescue you.

Parental supervision

• Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults.

• Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: they need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.

Know the law

• A 2010 boating law states that children under age 13 must wear a life jacket when on a moving vessel that is 26 feet or less in length.

• Every person on board a personal watercraft (popularly known as “jet skis”) and any person being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

• It is against the law to operate a boat or water ski with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more. You can be arrested even when your BAC is less than 0.08 percent if conditions are deemed to be unsafe.

Details

Written by: Editor

Published: 21 April 2011

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Installation of rumble strips from the Lake/Mendocino County line to the junction of Route 20/29 will begin Monday, April 25. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Traffic Solutions of Redding.

Highway 29

– Metal beam guardrail repair at the Saint Helena Creek Bridge and the Lupiyoma Creek Bridge will begin Monday, April 25. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– Metal beam guardrail repair from the Lake Boulevard Overcrossing to the Lucerne Undercrossing will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each

direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

Highway 175

– Metal beam guardrail repair from 2.0 to 3.0 miles west of the junction of Route 29/175 will begin Tuesday, April 26. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect.

Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– Metal beam guardrail repair near Napa Avenue Road will continue through Friday, April 22. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs from the Dry Creek Bridge to Bush Street. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will

be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– AT&T of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an aerial crossing near the Mendocino Vista Point on Friday, April 22. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Intermittent full road

closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Painting at the South Fork Eel River Bridge will begin Tuesday, April 26. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – NY Blastco Inc. of Gardenia.

Highway 20

– Highway widening 2.5 miles east of Gravel Pit Road will begin Monday, April 25. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate

five-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti Inc. of Petaluma.

– Installation of rumble strips from the eastern Cold Creek Bridge to the Lake/Mendocino County line will begin Monday, April 25. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Traffic Solutions of Redding.

Highway 101

– Slide repairs north of the Korean War Veterans War Memorial Bridge will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and speed is

reduced to 25 miles per hour. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– A pavement repair project from the Robinson Creek Bridge to Uva Drive will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day from 8 p.m. Sunday through 3 p.m.

Friday. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Northbound ramps at Calpella (Exit 555A) and Route 20 (Exit 555B) as well as southbound ramps at Route 20 (Exit 555B) will be intermittently closed. Motorists will be advised to use an alternate route and may experience minor delays. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– Repair of a slipout from Reeves Canyon Road to Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists

may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

Highway 101

– Installation of rumble strips from Big Trails Drive to the Ten Mile Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Traffic Solutions of Redding.

– Painting at the Arnold Bridge Overhead will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Certified Coatings Company of Fairfield.

Highway 128

– Slipout repairs 1.2 miles east of Big Oaks Drive will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate

five-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti of Petaluma.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per

week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

Please keep in mind work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans wishes to advise motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).