Some Launch Ramps Have Reopened
Folsom Lake Is Open for Launching and Sailing
“We are among the first of the sailboats back on Folsom Lake, finally,” wrote Pat McIntosh of the West Wight Potter 19 Ramblin’ Rose. Pat and his family had a short sail on Saturday afternoon because he wanted to be back in time for the (virtual) Kickoff of this year’s Delta Doo Dah on Saturday evening.
KCRA-TV in Sacramento reported that California State Parks reopened several areas in Northern California last Friday that have been closed since the end of March because of COVID-19.
At Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, these six entrances are open:
- Granite Bay in Placer County
- Beals Point in Placer County
- Nimbus Flat in Sacramento County
- Negro Bar in Sacramento County
- Folsom Point in Sacramento County
- Brown’s Ravine, including the Folsom Lake Marina in El Dorado County
People can drive in and park, launch their boats and watercraft, and resume boating. Restrooms and day-use facilities are available. Motorized boating is permitted on Folsom Lake. These areas remain closed at state parks: Concessions, campgrounds, high-use public indoor facilities, such as museums and visitors centers remain closed. Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice, so we don’t expect to see regattas on the lake anytime soon. Keep an eye on www.flyc.org for updates about racing.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation requests that people still keep it local.
The Delta Is Open for Business
Ramblin’ Rose will be cruising the Delta as part of the Delta Doo Dah a bit later in the season. Where can Pat launch her?
“Fishing and boating is allowed in the Delta, and many boat ramps are open (call first),” writes Bill Wells, executive director of the Delta Chambers of Commerce. Here are some possibilities (in alphabetical order): B & W, Buckley Cove, Clarksburg, Eddo’s, Hogback, King Island, Koket, Korth’s, Lighthouse, Merritt Landing, New Hope Landing, Orwood Resort, Paradise Point, the Park at Sherman Island, Tiki Lagoon, Walnut Grove Marina, Wimpy’s and Windmill Cove. Learn more and find contact info at https://californiadelta.org.
The Threemile Slough Bridge is not opening for boat traffic, and probably won’t until September, due to maintenance work. So sailing between the San Joaquin River and the Sacramento River necessitates backtracking to Pittsburg or taking the great circle route through Walnut Grove via the Mokelumne River and Georgiana Slough — slower, but worth it.
Monterey Bay Boat Launches Reopen
Boat launches in Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz had been closed to recreational boats since the SIP orders began in March. Commercial fishing was allowed to continue.
The wait to launch on Monterey Bay ended at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19. The health officers in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties agreed to allow recreational boating as long as mariners follow social-distancing rules. The harbors in Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz agreed to open at the same time to avoid having any one location overwhelmed by boaters anxious to get back out on the water.
In addition to requiring six-foot distancing and face coverings, the rules include no congregating with people outside of individual households, no lingering at the launch, and no campers or RVs in the parking lots. Monterey Harbor is not providing berths for visiting vessels, except for commercial fishing vessels and those seeking refuge, according to a Monterey city press release.