Shasta-Trinity National Forest - Boating Safety and Permit Information

Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

Safety Information

Low Water Safety Restrictions - 7-8-08

The Shasta County Sheriff's Office Boating Safety Unit is ordering the following closures/operation restriction 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-a "No Ski" buoy 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 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 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/5 MPH" 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 the water reaches 90'-100' down from the high water mark/line.

Pit River Arm:

Jones Valley Inlet-a "No Ski/5 MPH" buoy will be positioned at the entrance to the inlet closing this area to all towing activities and reduced speed. This will be in affect when the water reaches 90'-100' down from the high water mark/line.

The Shasta County Sheriff's Office appreciates everyone' 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.

"IF IT'S YOUR BOAT, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!!"

"ALCOHOL AND WATER DON'T MIX!!!!!"

Towing Activity- any activity where a passenger(s) is located outside the vessel and a rope is used for towing. (Wake surfing, wake boarding, tubing, water skiing, air chair, etc.)

5 MPH Zone-any area clearly marked requiring a vessel to travel at less that 5 MPH/No wake zone.

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Boating Safety & Regulations

Boat Safe and Sober!

Alcohol and drug use have been cited as contributing factors in many boating injuries and fatalities. Studies indicate that the effects of alcohol and drugs are more pronounced when operating a boat. Alcohol and/or drug use combined with wind, increased noise levels, vibration, wave action and sun glare have been shown to have a tremendous adverse influence on judgment and response times. It is unlawful to operate a recreational vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Under California State law, a person with a blood alcohol level of .087% or greater is considered to be under the influence.

Floating Debris

Floating debris (such as limbs, logs and bark) generally enter the lake through rivers and streams. Following winter storms and during spring runoff, a considerable amount of debris may accumulate in Shasta and Trinity lakes. The rising lake also "refloats" any debris beached on the shoreline from previous years. The larger debris can present a physical obstacle for boaters, while smaller debris can clog water intake ports in boat engine cooling systems, and can ruin props. Boat operators should maintain a constant watch and travel at reduced speeds when these conditions exist.

Lake Fluctuations and Underwater Obstacles

Annual precipitation and the demand for water are primary determinants of lake levels. Lake levels can vary from a few inches to several feet per day. Underwater obstacles, such as rocks, trees, stumps, and landforms may become exposed or may lie just below the water surface when the lake level changes.

In an effort to notify visitors of the presence of obstacles, the Forest Service provides a free Boating Safety brochures and maps at designated public boat ramps.

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Public Address Systems

The use of public address systems and loud stereo systems on houseboats on Shasta Lake are not permitted and users risk being cited and/or having their stereos confiscated by law enforcement, as well as losing the use of the houseboat and their security deposit.

Alcohol and Drug Issues

Minors in possession

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess alcohol on National Forest lands. Anyone under the age of 21 found guilty of being in possession of alcohol may have their drivers license suspended for one year. This is a reciprocal agreement in all the western states.

Minors knowingly transporting alcoholic beverages risk the penalty of having their driver's license suspended for one year and the possibility of having their vehicle impounded for 30 days.

Ecstasy - its dangers

Sheriff's officials will be on the lookout for a new potential danger: the drug ecstasy. In a resent article in the Redding Record Searchlight, Sgt, Mark Jenkins of the Shasta County Sheriff's office stated, "Officers saw signs of the hallucinogenic stimulant for the first time last year at Shasta Lake. Ecstasy raises the body's temperature, which could tempt users of the drug to jump in the water. What's more, the drug slows a person's gag reflex, which could be dangerous for swimmers."

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Fire Prevention

Fire Permits... are required during fire season (usually May through October) when using hibachis, portable stoves, barbecues, or campfires outside of a designated campground, on the shoreline, or on board when the boat is touching the shoreline. Fire permits are not required for stoves, ranges, or lighting devices built into the vessel, nor are they required for campfires in developed campground.

You can obtain a free California Campfire permit at any California Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management or US Forest Service office.

How to build a campfire:

Build your campfire away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps or logs, dry grass and leaves. Pile wood away from the fire.
Scrape away litter, duff and any flammable material within 5 feet of the fire in all directions. This will keep a campfire from spreading.
Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires. Keep at least 5 gallons of water available. Quick action will usually prevent a fire from getting out of control.
Keep campfires small. A good bed of coals or small fie surrounded by rocks will provide plenty of heat for cooking.
Extinguish campfires with water, using the "drown, stir and feel" method. No water? Use dirt. Mix enough soil and/or sand with the embers and the fire will go out. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cold enough to feel with your bare hand. Don't just bury your fire...it may smolder and break out again after you have left the area.

NEVER LEAVE ANY FIRE UNATTENDED!

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Fireworks

Possession and use of fireworks are illegal on National Forest lands and in Trinity & Shasta County. Anyone found in possession of fireworks will be cited. Discharging or igniting a firecracker, rocket or other firework, or explosive is prohibited.

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Firearms

Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property is prohibited:

in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area, or
across or on a Forest development road, or a body or water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.

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Littering/Resource damage

Resource damage and littering are common problems that occur when large crowds of people gather in one location. All recreation visitors need to be responsible for their garbage and campsites. Avoid crowding into one area; spread your campsites and houseboats apart. Please remember, if you "Pack it in, Pack it out."

You can gather enough dead and down wood for your campfire without a permit, but please do not cut any standing wood, dead or alive.