With Clear Lake water levels already above flood level and more rain on the horizon, Lake County officials have banned recreational motorized boating.
The temporary ban, adopted Tuesday, is aimed at protecting low-lying homes along Clear Lake from waves generated by watercraft. The county previously had instituted a 5 mph speed limit near the shore, then a prohibition on creating wakes.
But not everyone obeyed the no-wake ordinance and residents along the lake complained that boats were creating waves that breeched their sandbags, said Lake County Water Resources Director Philip Moy.
Non-motorized vessels like kayaks, paddle craft and sail boats are allowed, as are motorized vessels operated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The closure is expected to last no more than 60 days, officials said.
The lake level Tuesday afternoon was at 9.66 feet on the Rumsey gauge, down from 9.82 feet on Sunday. Flood stage is at 9 feet Rumsey, a shoreline water mark based on a rock formation.
Sheriff’s Lt. Steve Brooks said he’s received no reports of serious flooding to homes.
Moy said he spotted several Lakeport homes with water up to their top outdoor steps and sliding glass doors. They were homes that were for sale and appeared empty and unattended, he said.
A number of roads in the county on Tuesday remained partially closed by flooding and mudslides from storms in the last several weeks. Public works reported no changes in road conditions since Monday morning.
A National Weather Service flood warning for Lake County remains in effect as another round of wet weather heads toward the North Coast, potentially bringing further challenges to lake shore residents.
You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MendoReporter
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