The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit is ordering the following closures/operation restrictions on Shasta Lake in the interest of public safety.
Our primary concern is for the enjoyment and safety of those who recreate on this waterway and have identified the following safety concerns during years with low water storage. These restrictions will be in place each year and will go into effect as water levels dictate.
Sacramento Arm:
*Salt Creek Inlet- Will be closed to all towing activities when water levels reach 70’-80’ down from the high water mark/line. A “No Ski” buoy will be located at the entrance to the inlet.
*Gooseneck Cove/Little Sugarloaf Creek – Two “No Ski” buoys will be placed closing the entire North end of the Sacramento Arm to all towing activities. This will be in affect when water levels reach 90’-100’ down from the high water mark/line.
*Sugarloaf Marina/Antlers Marina- A “5 MPH” buoy will be placed just south of the marinas and limit speed for the entire north end of the Sacramento Arm. “5 MPH” will be the maximum speed North of Sugarloaf Marina for all vessel traffic when the water reaches 90’-100’ down from the high water mark/line.
McCloud Arm:
* Dekkas Rock—A “No Ski” buoy will be placed closing the entire North end of the McCloud Arm to all towing activities above Dekkas Rock. This will be in affect when water levels reach 90’-100’ down from the high water mark/line.
Squaw Creek Arm:
* Chain Gang Gulch- A “No Ski/5MPH” buoy will be placed closing all towing activity and requiring operation of 5 MPH North to the end of the Squaw Creek Arm. This will be in place when water reaches 90’-100’ down from the high water/mark line.
Pit River Arm
* Jones Valley Inlet- A “No Ski/5MPH” buoy will be positioned at the entrance to the inlet, restricting the entire cove to reduced speed. This will be in affect when water reaches 90’-100’ down from the high water mark/line.
Shasta County Ordinance 12.24.090 – A vessel must limit its speed to 5 mph within 100 feet of any shoreline or anchored vessel, or within 200 feet of a permanent launch ramp, boat dock or moorage area.
Harbors and Navigation Code 651 (bb) – Defines water skiing as the use of water skis, an aquaplane, or similar device. It includes all forms of water skiing, barefoot skiing, skiing on skim boards, knee boards, or other contrivances, parasailing, ski kiting, or any activity where a person is towed behind or alongside a boat.
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office appreciates everyone’s compliance with the above restrictions and wants to remind you that we are all responsible for safe boating and recreation on the water. If you have any questions regarding these restrictions, contact us at the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit at (530)245-6075.
Photo by David Fulmer on Flickr Copyright via Creative Commons
