Watch out for wood: Debris from American River drifts into Folsom Lake

The latest fallout from a winter of atmospheric rivers and mountains of snow starts with another river at home: the American. Driftwood, which can be damaging to boats and other watercraft, has compiled in the north and south forks of the American River and is now flowing into Folsom Lake, just when the temperature is climbing to that perfect California level – the 80s – and sending water lovers scrambling for their bathing suits, fishing poles and vessels. The good news is, California State Parks officials at this point are only asking boaters – and everyone – to simply be careful. There currently is no 5-MPH speed limit. "My concerns are bass fishermen who like to go Mach 1 to their next spot," said Eric Dales, a sergeant with the California State Parks Department of Parks and Recreation at Folsom Lake. "We just want to make sure for all boat operators, wear life jackets, watch out for debris. Just be careful, be cautious." Dales said a patrol boat broke down Tuesday after inhaling just a small piece of wood. Wednesday morning, a German shepherd barked as he frolicked along the Granite Bay shore with a piece of wood. Dales said this winter-turned-spring compares to 2017's snowpack and rainfall. The north and south forks of the American fill and pick up speed, collecting driftwood on the way to Folsom Lake. Lionudakis, an orchard removal and lake cleaning specialist company from Escalon, which State Parks has contracted previously, is currently stationed at the 5 percent area of the lake in Granite Bay with its tugboats, heavy equipment and wood chippers. Crews began gathering the driftwood from Folsom Lake and bringing it ashore. "If you were to see the pile just in a month, it's amazing," Dales said of a pile that Wednesday morning stretched about 50 yards in length and 15 feet high, from small branches to entire trees. "Most of the bigger trees coming down, they're being collected." Folsom Lake's high-water mark is 466 feet. The mark Tuesday was at 444.41 and climbing, according to Dales, with water rising about a foot a day. There is 11,000 cubic-feet coming into the lake daily, with 7,000 cubic-feet being released. With the water temperature at 61 degrees last weekend, visitation at the lake was robust. The Department of Fish and Wildlife also planted rainbow trout. Dales said it was a busy weekend at Folsom Lake, with at least 150 boats released just at Granite Bay. All boat ramps are open, including Rattlesnake Bar, Folsom Point, Peninsula, Pilot Hill, Lake Natoma and Browns Ravine. Dales said there is no driftwood at Lake Natoma. "We'll have a full water year, hopefully, through Labor Day. We're really starting to see it now. It's going be a busy, busy year for us," Dales said. "The main thing is to be cautious, knowing what's in front of you."