Category Archives: Boating

Boating, Rafting, safety, Water

Folsom and EDH Fire Stations offer free life jacket rentals

After the drowning of a 23-year-old man last week in the Lake Natoma, local first responders are reminding people to stay safe and act responsibly in local waterways.

The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) are warning water enthusiasts not to become complacent because of the drought, and to take serious precautions when in or near water this summer.

DBW officials said water is still flowing and even low reservoirs and lakes still have enough water for recreation. Previously deep hazards may be closer to the surface and can create treacherous conditions for all recreationists including waders, swimmers, paddlers, boaters, anglers and even hikers cooling off at the water’s edge.

“We ask those enjoying the outdoors to be careful near mountain streams, rivers and reservoirs. Water flows can fluctuate so always be prepared for a change in conditions,” said Randy Livingston, vice president of Power Generation for PG&E.

Since conditions change quickly in open water and even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their skills when boating or swimming, DBW officials said wearing a properly-fitted life jacket can help keep people safe.

El Dorado Hills Fire Department Division Chief/Fire Marshal Michael Lilienthal, said the department received a grant from the Life Jacket Loaner Program sponsored by the U.S. and California Boats and Waterways Association which loans flotation devices to local boaters.

“The process is simple, (people need to) provide a California driver’s license and the approximate weight of the person needing the life jacket and complete a form,” Lilienthal said. “Jackets can be borrowed for up to three days. While this is the peak season for usage, the program is available year round.”

A life jacket can also provide some thermal protection against the onset of hypothermia and keep a person afloat until someone else can rescue him or her.

More at FolsomTelegraph.com >>>

 

Boating, Rafting, safety, Water

Drowning victim’s body found in Lake Natoma

State park workers recovered the body Tuesday morning of a 23-year-old man who drowned last week at Lake Natoma after jumping into the water with friends, officials said.

The man was identified as Paul Liu of Sacramento, according to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.

The workers recovered the body at 9 a.m. between the launch ramp and swim beach at Negro Bar, said Richard Preston, superintendent for the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.

On Thursday, California State Parks workers received a report at about 4 p.m. that four people had jumped from rocks intending to swim to a partially submerged rock in the middle of the lake, between Rainbow Bridge and Lake Natoma Crossing, Preston said. Liu went underwater, and his friends unsuccessfully tried to rescue him.

Two of Liu’s friends were rescued by kayakers, and one made it to shore on his own.

Hours after park workers recovered Liu’s body, rescue crews pulled another body out of the American River downstream near Sutter’s Landing in midtown Sacramento.

That man appeared to be in his 20s or 30s, said Sacramento Fire Department spokesman Chris Harvey. He said identifying the man will be difficult because the body had been in the water for several days.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Rafting, safety, Water

Safety changes coming after Discovery Park-area drownings

Sacramento County officials said Monday they are planning changes at Tiscornia Beach after four people died off its shoreline so far in July.

County Supervisor Phil Serna said he’s asked the county parks department to install signs down by the water’s edge as early as next weekend.

“It’s going to be some very blunt language, strong language, that really attempts to impress upon folks that visit our parkways about the risk associated with entering the waterway,” Serna said.

For Joe Thomas, whose uncle drowned in the Sacramento River Sunday, the changes are coming too late.

Thomas came back to the accident site Monday, expecting to find searchers still looking for the 24-year-old drowning victim. Instead, he found people back in the water at the exact same spot.

“I kind of was taking it like it wasn’t really too much of a concern,” Thomas said. “I don’t see any type of sign up saying beware of this area, it’s dangerous, or anything.”

Thomas said his uncle, who is still missing and has not been identified by authorities, came to the beach Sunday for a family gathering.

About 1 p.m., the river pulled him under and he never resurfaced.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Boating, Rafting, safety, Water

Crews search for body of drowning victim, 24, near Discovery Park

Rescue crews are searching for the body a 24-year-old man who is believed to have drowned near Tiscornia Park in Sacramento, the fourth victim this month in the are.

A witness told KCRA 3 that the man had fallen into the water along the Sacramento and American river confluence as he attempted to put a flotation device on a child.

Family members told the fire officials that he was swimming on the Sacramento side and may have yelled that he was caught on something before being swept underwater.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Boating, Rafting, safety

Rafting Gone Wild

 

There were desperate attempts to save a woman in trouble on the water in Sacramento County, but Sunnyvale’s Sonia Rangel, couldn’t be saved from her day in the sun, celebrating her newly-obtained American citizenship near Discovery Park.

The 36-year-old mother, grandmother and bodybuilder recently died during a boating incident in the midst of the often drunken and often disorderly ‘Rage on the River.’

Eleven days later, other fans of what the county’s rivers have to offer are enjoying a very different kind of day afloat.

“Especially after a high stress day it’s pretty relaxing. It’s nice,” said Jan Atkinson of Folsom.

“It’s great to just come out and just forget it all and just relax on the water,” said Elk Grove’s Lisa Andrus.

Directors of Sacramento county’s regional parks are looking to inject the kind of calms river days Andrus enjoys, into big river event days like the Rafting Gone Wild floating fiesta planned for thousands to enjoy July 11.

That’s why they’ve issued an alcohol ban on American River Parkway from Hazel to Watt Avenue, trying to avoid the 12 arrests, boozy brawls and destruction of property that marred the event in 2012.

More at Fox40.com >>>

Boating, Fish, Rafting, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Folsom Lake Will be Drained to 120,000 Acre-Feet by September

In response to concerns from Sacramento water agencies, the Bureau of Reclamation is easing back drainage rates on Folsom Lake.

The State Water Resources Control Board is set to approve the updated plans, which aim to ease concerns from residents of Folsom, Roseville and other cities that depend on Folsom Lake for their water supply.

“Mindful of that critical water supply need we are intending to put in the specific end of September of quantity of 120,000 acre-feet of water,” said Deputy Director Les Grober.

Grober says fears about the water level came up when regulators tried to strike a balance between protecting fish and minimizing harm to agriculture.

More at KFBK.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Events, Rafting, safety

American River Parkway Alcohol Restriction July 11

​For safety, the Regional Parks Director has issued an alcohol restriction on the American River from Hazel to Watt Avenues in preparation for a non-permitted event – Rafting Gone Wild – July 11, 2015.

In 2012, the Rafting Gone Wild event resulted in multiple arrests, destruction of public and private property, and presented a significant threat to the safety of the public and our community. Based on information obtained from multiple sources, the Department of Regional Parks anticipates similar unsafe circumstances during this year’s event.

As a result of the potential risks to the community including park visitors, rescue personnel and law enforcement, the Director of Regional Parks has issued an alcohol restriction for July 11, 2015.

County Park Rangers, Rancho Cordova Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff Department will be stationed at all park locations along the American River Parkway to enforce the alcohol restriction.  Violations of the alcohol restriction will be strictly enforced.

Bike Trail, Boating, Rafting, safety

Discovery Park water recovery focuses on 27-year-old woman

A search was called off for a 27-year-old woman who went under the water in the American River near Discovery Park.

The woman went under about 5 p.m. Monday near the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers.

Divers and rescue boats canvassed the water and several helicopters monitored the waters from above for about 90 minute before the search was called off and the rescue shifted focus to a recovery.

A 36-year-old man was treated for fatigue after attempting to save the woman, firefighters said.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Boating, Rafting, safety, Water

American River drowning victim recovered in Sacramento River

Authorities have identified a body recovered from the Sacramento River as that of a man who drowned recently in the American River.

The Sacramento Bee reports (http://bit.ly/1exVXWR ) the man, in his 20s, is believed to have drowned in the American River near Tiscornia Park on Wednesday. Sacramento Fire Department spokesman Chris Harvey says crews recovered the body Saturday after it was spotted in the Sacramento River. The victim’s name hadn’t been released as of Sunday.

According to fire officials, the victim had tried to swim across the river when he went underwater and didn’t resurface.

More at SanLuisObisbo.com >>>
Boating, Events, Rafting, safety

‘Rage On The River’ Makes Busy Day For Emergency Crews

A large fight at the Swabbies bar caused quite a commotion – just one of the many incidents authorities responded to Sunday.

At one point, there were more than a dozen police cars at the scene. Officers say no one was seriously injured. Law enforcement was already out in force along the river for the alcohol-filled “Rage on the River” event that takes places every year.

In more scary moments, two women had to be rescued near Discovery Park.

Sacramento firefighters rushed to the area to perform CPR. While they couldn’t say what led up to the emergency, witnesses say the person fell off a boat.

“Then when she fell off the boat, the policeman just came over there, they took her over here and they were just pumping her heart,” said witness Latina Dawson. “They were just pumping and pumping for like 10 or 15 minutes.”

It happened around 5:30 p.m. – the same time crews had to react to another person who was unresponsive.

Both were taken to the hospital.

“I have kids and grandkids, and I don’t want to see that happen to no one,” said Iris Garner, another witness.

But it’s something emergency responders were prepared for. Rage on the River attracts tens of thousands to the Discovery Park area every year.

And the alcohol was flowing.

“Last year we had the same event. We did over 20 rescues in a two-hour period.  And this year we were very well prepared,” said Roberto Padilla with the Sacramento Fire Department.

With three Sacramento Fire boats out on the water and multiple law enforcement agencies from surrounding areas keeping watch, there was a major effort to prevent drownings.

More at cbslocal.com >>>