Category Archives: Water

Bike Trail, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Hundreds Voice Outrage Over Possible Plan For New Flood Operation Center

The building could be built on the American River next to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.The federal and state government is studying three different locations for a new flood operation center that would house three state and federal agencies, the Department of Water Resources, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the National Weather Service.

The proposed site is the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and two alternative sites are Mather Airport and near the intersection of Sunrise and Killgore in Rancho Cordova.

The size of the proposed center is 200,000 square feet.

Hundreds of concerned residents are angry the government would even consider building such a large structure so close to the river and the bike trail.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Parkway crowds generally well-behaved during holiday weekend

The Labor Day weekend was busy on the American River Parkway, but with the exception of visitors who sought to circumvent the holiday alcohol ban, crowds along the parkway were generally well-behaved, said John Havicon, ranger supervisor with Sacramento County Regional Parks.

“A lot of alcohol was poured out,” Havicon said.

He said 20 tickets were issued to people for violating the alcohol ban.

Havicon said rangers this year have found more people trying to bring in hard liquor, often in water bottles, for mixed drinks.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

Higher fees, ban on alcohol on parkway this weekend

The American River Parkway will be “dry” and Sacramento County’s regional park fees will be higher over the Labor Day weekend.

The holiday ban on alcohol along the parkway – on shore and on the river – will be in effect from Saturday through Monday. Consumption of alcohol and possession of open containers will be prohibited within the parkway between Watt and Hazel avenues. The ordinance will be strictly enforced, and violations of the alcohol ban may result in a citation or arrest, according to a Sacramento County Regional Parks news release.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Fish, safety, Water

Two bodies found in American River

The body of a missing Sacramento-area fisherman was recovered from the American River late Friday afternoon, just a few hours after another man was found unresponsive further upstream.

Search crews found the body in the river near the Harrington Way river access, downstream of Riverbend Park, where park rangers found the fisherman’s truck parked Thursday night.

Assistant Chief Scott Cockrum of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District said a fire district helicopter and boat crew were assisting law enforcement in the search and recovered the body.

The name of the 54-year-old fisherman was not released pending notification of family.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Fish, safety, Water

Amercan River searched for missing fisherman

A local man who left home Wednesday afternoon to fish on the American River by River Bend Park hasn’t been seen since.

The man’s wife reported him missing to authorities on Thursday.

The 54-year-old man’s truck with fishing equipment inside was located by Sacramento County rangers about 10 Thursday night, said Deputy Jason Ramos with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.

More at News10.net >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

Water Safety Crackdown Involves 10 Agencies

Law enforcement agencies from around the region are teaming up on a two-day crackdown along the American and Sacramento Rivers near Discovery Park.The enforcement effort known as the Delta Blitz is coordinated by the U.S, Coast Guard and involves 10 different law enforcement agencies.

The main goal of the crackdown is education.

Officers target boaters for a variety of safety violations such as speeding, boating under the influence, lacking enough life vests, and lacking registration.The crackdown in Sacramento is the last of three Delta Blitz crackdowns the Coast Guard operates throughout the Delta.In June, officers ran a similar operation in San Joaquin County.

They also ran a Delta Blitz in Contra Costa County in July.Since the Coast Guard began the operation in 2008, a spokesman for the department estimates the number of citations being written by officers has decreased by one-third.

In Yolo County, officers estimate they have written nearly 80 percent fewer citations for boating under the influence than in previous years.”I’d like to think we can attribute it to our enforcement.

We’ve taken a proactive step at reducing the alcohol related incidents. People know we are going to be out here, and we are going to be doing enforcement,” said Deputy Rial Price, with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department.

Boaters on the water Saturday said they have noticed more officers on the water in recent years.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Fish, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Impact report available for Nimbus Hatchery fish ladder project

The final environmental impact report on the Nimbus Hatchery Fish Passage Project has been released by the federal Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Fish and Game for public review.

The agencies propose to extend the fish ladder from the hatchery to the Nimbus Dam stilling basin, using the basin itself to hold and divert fish to the ladder.

Under this proposal, the existing weir would be permanently removed and the Department of Fish and Game would recommend changes in local fishing regulations to the California Fish and Game Commission, according to a news release.

The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is along the lower American River, a quarter-mile downstream from Nimbus Dam.

More at ModBee.com >>>