It's an annual occurrance. The water level on calaveras is dropping like a rock. I saw several people having trouble getting their boats off of their trailers, even at the deep water ramp. One guy with a pontoon boat give up at the deep water ramp, went over to the shallow water ramp & was still wrestling with it when I left. SARA needs to rethink this low water policy & impliment somthing more practical. Anyone else having problems too ?
Roger

Yup, seen a lot of stuck boat trailers out there. Don't back up to far!

It makes for a real pain in the rear tryiing to get up on the wall from a canoe!

Actually, SARA does not have anything to do with the water levels. City Public Service is in charge of that duty. Last year, it was a pump that failed. I have inquired to the powers that be as to what the problem is this time. Will let you know when they respond. It might be lowering to allow for some of the new construction.

I was out there a few weeks ago and someone had to help my son push my deckboat off the trailer, I won't back up past the ramp line.

As I was loading, there was a pontoon at the dock and they said they ripped the back bumper and lights off their trailer.

Another guy thought he was going to have to call a tow truck. Be careful out there and I won't be back until the water comes up.

See ya on the water,
SportFisher

I was one that had problems with a pontoon. I got there after dark and didn't realize how low the water level was. The trailer came off the ramp. We tried everything to pull it out. Here is what worked; We got on the boat and with a rope two of us pulled the trailer up as the truck pulled it out slowly. Came right out with no problem. The best thing there was no harm to the trailer.

here is a response from SARA:

Earlier this week, we asked CPSE and were informed that the level is at their winter maintenance level.  Since it continues to cause problems on the lake and at the ramps, yesterday I asked that they consider raising the level, and they are considering that.  Meanwhile, SARA staff is informing boaters that the level is low and to be cautious at the ramps.  Hopefully we can get more water from Mother Nature (doubtful anytime soon), or CPSE will pump more water into the lake.
 
Dale

Thanks Alien...Seems like you have become our go between. I inquired several years ago as to why the lake level was allowed to drop so low. The reply was "in anticipation of projected rain fall...flooding". If this annual drop of lake level is due to mechanical problems, etc, why does it always happen at this time of year ? I smell a rat !
Roger

I seems that they would keep it at a safe level for the boat ramps or they should have made the deep water ramp longer. Not sure what their reasoning is, maybe they don't either.

See ya on the water (maybe),
SportFisher

Agree completely with that. I remember them constructing the ramps when the lake was almost overflowing from rainfall

The yellow line on the wall does not match the end of the ramp, even when that lake is full people back off, it is a short boat ramp to begin with. I actually had a guy pull my truck forward slow while i picked up the back end of the trailer, it came right out with no damage. Once your boat is locked off the end do not keep trying to pull it out. If there are a couple of people available it will be easier with one person on each side. Be careful please, my fiancee was about to go nuts when I went in but, I am not calling a tow truck and I knew I could pick it up enough.

Reminds me of what happened to me........

ouch...mine was luckily during the day...how in the hell did you find two people at 4am lol.

Well it was a party of 4. OH! and by the way the camera was off it was actully 8:30pm. Still not fun!

They have shut down the 'deep' water ramp completely. I have contacted CPS Energy and complained. This is ridiculous.

If you have time, contact them 'nicely' here and ask them to forward it to the appropriate authorities. They have a public Board Meeting at 2:30p on the 24th at the Navarro office. I will be there.

feedback@cpsenergy.com

I sent SARA an email a few days ago and have yet to receive an answer. Guess the boat will stay in storage until the water comes up or I'll have to make a coast trip. PINS sure is looking pretty good right now.

See ya on the water,
SportFisher

Good thing we have Don on our side!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sent my e-mail Don.

Email sent from here too. Thanks.

Ha, that's my fathers truck in the back.

It is obvious that the ramp has got to be fixed & it will be expensive. The only other alternative is to reduce the annual lake draw down. I don't understand "why" the lake has to drawn down to such a reduced level, but maybe they can come up with a better maintenance procedure. This ramp screw up could end up in litigation depending on how the contract was written.
Roger

Here is the latest response from SARA.....They are trying, but have limited influence upon CPS.


The bull rock installed several months ago at the end of the north ramp has been pushed out about 15-20 feet by propwash, and has basically formed a gravel bar parallel to the end of the ramp and as shallow as about 12 inches below the current low lake level. We do have a contractor scheduled next week to come to the park to alleviate the problem, but until then the ramp will remain closed.

The other ramp is usable, but caution must be exercised as the low lake level has resulted in a wash-out condition at the end of the ramp in the area marked with the buoy. We plan to fill in that area soon.

Regarding the reasons for different water levels, it’s a bit complicated, but to our knowledge, the lower winter lake level is programmed by CPSE to help them meet annual water rights obligations and SA River flow commitments, plus help conserve electricity by not having to pump so much “make up” water from the river in the cooler months when the Calaveras Power Plants are not working as hard as in the warmer months.

We have expressed our concern about what seems to us to be lower than usual lake levels with the CPSE operations staff; perhaps you could voice your concern and get more information through contacting the CPSE Public Relations Dept.

Hope this information is helpful

Here is the latest from CPS: First, My response with pictures....




Mr. Tieken,

Thank you for responding. We hope to see the lake level rising since you say the pump is running. I will be out there Friday to see.

This is the lowest we have ever seen the lake in four years. It is preventing fishermen from using the ramps which CPS paid for. I know we should pray for rain, but the annual permits for boats and fishing do not say that if it does not rain, we will not be able to use the lake ramps.

We do not understand your obligations to the other usages for the water downstream, but neither does the San Antonio River authority. That sounds strange since that is SARA's primary interest.

What we know, is that we were sold annual permits for a great fishery which CPS is not maintaining.

There is no way that this level is only one foot down from normal. I have fished this lake for years and I know what is showing is not that level.

Please continue to raise the lake to a level that will support the fishery and its paying users.

Thank you,

Don Gadberry
2103858938


In a message dated 11/20/2008 6:13:56 P.M. Central Standard Time, GRTieken@CPSEnergy.com writes:

Mr. Gadberry,

I received your email and wanted to let you know that we are pumping water into Calaveras Lake at this time. However, the lake level will be maintained at our winter level which is 1’ lower than our summer level. The current summer/winter adjustment in lake levels is the result of an agreement with SARA, SAWS and CPSE to better manage lake levels and downstream river flows. The lake level will remain at the winter levels until March/April timeframe, unless we receive rainfall. If you have any additional questions, feel free to email or call me at 210-353-2158.

Thanks,

Gregg Tieken

Very well written and gets to the point, they will tell you they are taking measurements from another "official" station. Bad combination with short ramps and lower than normal water levels.

Good luck with your efforts

How come Braunig doesn't have this "low lake level" problem ? They both are operated by CPS, both are cooling lakes, get their water from the S.A. river ? I just don't get it..
Roger

Thanks Don!!!!!