Plan Like a Park Ranger for a Safe Day on the Water

If you see whitecaps on the lake, do not go kayaking or paddleboarding. Doing these water sports when it's windy is highly dangerous. NPS Graphic/Greg Williams.

The reservoir that is Whiskeytown Lake is an incredible place to spend your day. During the hot summer months floating on the water in your preferred boat or vessel can be fantastic. Unfortunately, a relaxing day on the water can turn upside down quickly. Use these tips to plan like a ranger for a safe day on the lake.

PFDs – Personal Floatation Devices (commonly known as lifejackets) will save your life. U.S. Coast Guard regulations require PFDs be available for every person onboard a vessel, with a minimum ratio of one lifejacket per person. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards must follow this regulation too! California state law also requires children 12 and under to wear a lifejacket at all times while onboard a vessel. Lifejackets should be comfortable but snug when worn appropriately.

Plan for the weather – Anytime you are headed out on the water you should look at the forecast beforehand and/or check our lake cam for wind conditions - if you see whitecaps on the lake cam, it is not safe to kayak or paddleboard on the lake.

Typically in the summer here you see high temperatures and lots of sun. On these 100°F (37°C) days water and sun protection are important. Anytime you visit Whiskeytown make sure to bring plenty of drinking water to keep you hydrated and don’t forget to drink it. On a hot day jumping into the lake or a creek is a great way to cool off. Staying out of the sun is equally important. This can be done with a wide brim hat, a shady tree and of course sunscreen.

While the weather is usually wonderful, you should be prepared for wind and choppy waves while on the water. Sudden winds have put many boaters in a bind at Whiskeytown over the years, blowing them off course and even blowing their boats away. Knowing your limits with weather can keep you from needing to be rescued.

Changing lake levels – The water level in Whiskeytown Lake changes throughout the year to meet the various demands of power generation, cold water for native fish species, flood control and more. This means that summer hazards and shoals are very different than those in the winter. The lake level changes by nearly 12 feet as it rises in April/May and lowers in October.

 

Visitors have drowned here at Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse. Please obey signs and do not swim, wade, or boat within the buoys here - keep your pets out of the water here too. When the powerhouse is running, massive amounts of water dump into Whiskeytown Lake here, creating a dangerous undertow.

Know where to go – Nearly the entire lake is open to boaters, but there are a few important restrictions. Much of the area between Brandy Creek Beach, Marina and the islands is a no wake zone and the same goes with Oak Bottom and the Whiskey Creek arm. All hard-sided vessels are prohibited from being in the designated swim areas. A final important location is the buoyed off area in front of Carr Powerhouse. This area is not safe for boating, swimming, playing, or wading due to sudden increasing in dangerously cold fast-moving water. Pets should not be allowed in the water around Carr Powerhouse either.

Be kind to each other – Many great areas of Whiskeytown can become incredibly busy on a summer morning. Places like the smaller Whiskey Creek boat ramp often fill up quickly, while the much larger Brandy Creek Marina launch ramp will usually have more space. If your preferred area is full, it’s a good time to go rediscover and explore a different area of Whiskeytown.

Don’t try to get creative with parking – all vehicles and trailers must be in a designated parking spot. Parking outside of designated areas creates hazards along roadways and makes travel especially difficult for large emergency vehicles.

When you get to the boat ramp, be ready – While the boat ramps are for everyone to use, please launch quickly. The launch area can get backed up quick. This applies to all vessels being launched, from patio boats to paddle boards. However, not everyone is a veteran ramp user, so be friendly and patient; maybe offer someone a hand if it looks like they could use some help! The launch ramps are not a place to play either. Fishing and swimming are not allowed in these spots.

Hopefully all these ideas serve as a good reminder on how to have a fun and successful day. All of the staff at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area want you to have a safe and enjoyable time so you can continue visiting Whiskeytown well into the future.

By Tyler Compton, Interpretive Park Ranger