Lake Isabella report

superkraut · Joined: 18 Mar 2001 Posts: 346

attention, folks - this was an ancient post, recently dredged up from Mar 24, 2015 - I will post a "proper" Isabella update after this next round of "storms" will hopefully have given us a better indicator of water level this spring

spring sailing season has arrived at Lake Isabella. Alas, the water has not: our lake is currently at 8% of capacity, and with a snow pack of only 10% of normal in our watershed, the outlook for later this spring is dismal.
Our sailing venue has shrunk to a fetch of less than 900ft in our typical Southerlies, and a breadth about twice that. Trees border it on the North side, and muddy shoals on the South side. Being in a deep hole, only Southerly winds are sailable, with SW or Westerlies much gustier than they normally are.
To make the most of this available playpen, we have maintained strict separation: we each sail from our respective launch spots, and do not cross over - falling off to give someone right-of-way in such a small venue means you cannot get back upwind.
We have also separated by discipline, with the windsurfers in the green zone upwind of Old Isabella Road, and kiters in the yellow zone downwind.
This has allowed us to safely accommodate (3) riders each. Any more, and we need to take turns.
This system has worked well throughout the winter and early spring, and I beseech everybody headed our way to honor it.
for frequent updates to lake status etc, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/294638607227135/

spennie · Joined: 13 Oct 1995 Posts: 975 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

Looks like another year without sailing my favorite lake. Crapola.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

Miss Eva, that looks beyond sad. I guess we need to think about the bay or Rio this year. If your not afraid of bid fish with big teeth there is always Arroyo.

superkraut · Joined: 18 Mar 2001 Posts: 346

yes, Tony, the state of my lake is totally depressing. No, I do not fear big fish with big teeth - I figure when my time is up, something will jump up and bite one way or the other. I do, however, fear that my skill set, while adequate for flat water, will render me a liability in waves, so my choices are rather limited

geohaye · Joined: 03 Apr 2000 Posts: 1437

Rough to see Isabella in such a state. Will be crossing fingers all year for better than normal rain this coming Winter, and for 2016 to be a return to form at this iconic windsurfing paradise.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

I got two hours at my lake yesterday. Very good wind 5.5... I just kept thinking how much fun it would be if the lake had more water... Maybe another month then its done here...if that.....Tony

MalibuGuru · Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300

Eva, summertime in Malibu and Cabrillo can often be flat, warm and windy. Downwind there is no kelp. You may have to give it a try mid to late summer. We'll watch out for you!

jp5 · Joined: 19 May 1998 Posts: 3394 Location: OnUr6

So here we are nearly a year to the date this was originally posted. Any updates? Is the lake even lower now? Will our increased snowfall in the Sierras help to refill the lake?

Brian.bigfella@gmail.com · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 127

I thought maybe Eva would post, but since she didn't...

Thing are looking better this year. As of today the lake is as high as it was at any point in 2015 and there's about 80% of the April 1 snow pack with a couple more storms on the way this week.

My guess is that the lake comes up another 20 feet, which isn't great but it's very sailable.

windward1 · Joined: 18 Jun 2000 Posts: 1400

How does as high as any point in 2015 compare to the picture EVA posted last year. I have not been to Isabella...yet...and I want to relate. May be able to go their on the way to Death Valley...