Big Bear News KBHR 93.3 » Lake Safety

Boat Prop Incident Results in Emergency Situation; MWD Reminds Boaters to Turn Off Boat When Swimmers in Water

Catherine Sandstrom — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:00:33 +0000

Lake Supervisor Travis Carroll reminds, "Boat smart, and boat safe!"

Big Bear Lake, CA — A boating incident that took place on Big Bear Lake last week has prompted a safety reminder from the Big Bear Municipal Water District, the agency that oversees recreation activity on the lake. In the evening hours last week, a party of four adults was on a pontoon boat on Big Bear Lake, celebrating the birthday of the boat’s driver, a man in his 40s from Los Angeles. One of the three women on board lost her hat and, in an effort to retrieve it, the man entered the lake at the rear of the vessel—however, he did not turn off the engine and may, too, have inadvertently put the boat in reverse. While he was in the water to retrieve the hat, the prop at the rear of the boat cut open his right leg, calf and foot which, though it did not sever an artery, did result in significant loss of blood. One of the female passengers wrapped his leg in a towel and used a belt as a tourniquet to reduce the bleeding, while 911 was called. Responders to the lakeshore, where the boat docked, included the MWD’s Lake Patrol, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and both the Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City Fire Departments. The victim was then flown to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center to undergo surgery and, we’ve since been told, his leg has been saved despite the severity of the injury. The accident investigation is being conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. In a statement to KBHR, MWD’s Lake Operations Supervisor Travis Carroll says, “The Big Bear Municipal Water District would like to remind all boaters of the dangers of props and to remember to make sure your motor is always off when anyone is in the water. The California Department of Boating and Waterways reports several injuries and fatalities each year from prop-related injuries. Boat smart, and boat safe!”

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East Boat Launch Ramp Closure to Extend Through June 17 (for Construction Project), Though Launch Access Available This Weekend

Catherine Sandstrom — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:03:02 +0000

Big Bear Valley, CA — In an update from the Big Bear Municipal Water District, the temporary construction-prompted closure of the Carol Morrison East Public Launch Ramp (just west of Stanfield Cutoff on the North Shore) will be extended for an additional five weekdays in order for the contractor to complete two projects. The East Ramp will be open this Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13, but it will be closed Friday, June 11, and next Monday through Thursday, weather permitting. The MWD extends their apologies for this inconvenience, but hopes boaters will enjoy use of the new paved parking lot and vessel Quagga Mussel decontamination station when the project is complete. While the East Ramp is closed, free Quagga Mussel inspection, decontamination and launching are available at Big Bear Marina on the south shore of the Lake. Please call the District offices at 909/866-5796 with any questions. “In the meantime,” notes MWD General Manager Scott Heule, “go out and enjoy the nearly full lake with water clarity that is better than it has been in years!”

The Carol Morrison East Public Launch Ramp is getting a Quagga Mussel decontamination station, which should be ready by the weekend after next, on June 18. In the meantime, free Quagga Mussel inspections are available for vessels at both the West Boat Launch Ramp (west of Fawnskin on the North Shore) or at Big Bear Marina, off Lakeview Drive in the City of Big Bear Lake.

Recreation and Park District Opens Swim Beach on June 5; Swim Lessons and Summer Day Camps Also Available

Catherine Sandstrom — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:49:56 +0000

Big Bear Lake, CA — At long last with summer weather upon us, the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District opens Swim Beach, on the lake at the western-most end of Park Avenue, starting this weekend. Swim Beach will be open weekends from noon to 5pm; once school is out (in two weeks), the recreation area will be open Thursdays through Mondays through Labor Day. Swim Beach features white sand, as well as grass, snack bar and lifeguards on duty in the swimming area, which includes the giant Summit Slide and a trampoline, both on the water. The Rec and Park District also offers swim lessons for all ages this summer; to sign up for one of six sessions (the first of which begins June 21st), Super Swim Lesson Sign-Up Day will be held at the district offices on Thursday, June 10, starting at 8am. Summer camps for children are also offered this summer, through the Rainbow Kids Club held at Big Bear Elementary School. Families should have received the park district’s summer brochure, which went home with BVUSD students this week, but details are also available at BigBearParks.com, or by calling the district offices on Park Avenue at 866-9700.

Swim Beach (captured here in a prior summer) now includes the Summit Slide and a trampoline, both on the water!

Diligence of Marina Inspector Keeps Big Bear Lake Quagga Mussel Free; All Boats Must Be Clean, Drained and Dry Before Launch

Catherine Sandstrom — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:06:28 +0000

Big Bear Lake, CA — A Quagga mussel-infested boat was prevented from being launched onto Big Bear Lake because of the pre-launch inspection performed by diligent launch ramp attendants, per a press release issued by the Big Bear Municipal Water District: “The boat showed up at Pine Knot Landing after spending three months in Lake Mojave on the Colorado River. Certified Quagga Mussel Inspector John Bishop at the private marina noted water draining from the boat’s outdrive when it was lowered. Because of this, combined with the knowledge that the boat had recently been in mussel-contaminated waters, the inspector refused to allow the boat to be launched and instead sent it to the Carol Morrison East Public Launch Ramp for a more thorough inspection. Big Bear Municipal Water District Launch Ramp Supervisor Tyler Cockrell and Ramp Attendant Stacy Marquardt performed a detailed inspection and observed thousands of tiny, pinhead-sized Quagga Mussels covering the boat. The boat was then quarantined at the District offices.
The District provides Quagga Mussel inspection training annually, free of charge, to all local private marina workers. Private launch ramps at marinas are required to have District-certified inspectors any time boats are being launched or retrieved. When it was discussed at the May 20th MWD Board meeting, Director Skip Suhay noted, ‘This incident highlights the value of local public awareness and the payoff that results when private marinas and the District cooperate to keep Big Bear Lake Quagga Mussel free.’ The District wants to extend a community wide ‘thank you’ to John, Stacy and Tyler for the protection they provided to the lake for many people, both here in Big Bear Valley and throughout Southern California. Please remember that your boat, float tube, kayak or canoe needs to be ‘Clean, Drained and Dry’ before launching at Big Bear Lake.”

Lake heroes Tyler Cockrell and Stacy Marquardt, both with the MWD, and John Bishop of Pine Knot Marina kept a Quagga-infested boat from contaminating Big Bear Lake.

Lake Supervisor Travis Carroll shows a cluster of the quickly multiplying Quagga Mussel, which presents a threat to Big Bear Lake's ecosystem, as well as snowmaking capabilities of the ski resorts. All boats entering Big Bear Lake must be clean, drained and dry to prevent Quagga infestation.

L.A. Man in Wednesday’s Canoeing Incident on Cedar Lake Dies in Loma Linda Hospital

Catherine Sandstrom — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:09:42 +0000

Big Bear Lake, CA — Yesterday afternoon’s police activity, including helicopters, over Cedar Lake Camp in western Big Bear Lake was prompted by a canoe that had capsized at about 1:30pm. Two men had been in the vessel and one, 29-year-old Lashun Curtis Robertson of Los Angeles, at the camp for a retreat with a group from Los Angeles Mission, sank about 15 feet under the water, though was rescued by a Sheriff’s Department team diver in the 3pm hour, who located him about 30 feet from the dock in the frigid water. Robertson was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center for medical treatment where, per a report from the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office this morning, he was pronounced dead at 6:16pm on May 19. Per reports from both the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station and the Coroner’s Office, Robertson did not know how to swim, and yet was not wearing a life jacket while canoeing.
For what it’s worth, National Safe Boating Week launches this Saturday, May 22. As data from the U.S. Coast Guard suggests that 90 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket, the National Safe Boating Council reminds those recreating on the water to wear a life jacket at all times.

Today’s Dam Inspection Provides “No Concerns Regarding Dam Safety”; MWD Approves Summer Activities on Big Bear Lake

Catherine Sandstrom — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:00:46 +0000

Big Bear Lake, CA – Those in the vicinity of the west end of Big Bear Lake may have noticed divers in the water which, per the Big Bear Municipal Water District, is for an annual inspection of the dam. These inspections were prompted by a crack, discovered three years ago, during a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department dive team training exercise. Since late fall 2008, there has been no indication from these periodic inspections that there are any additional cracks in the dam where two monuments, consisting of two stainless steel bolts, straddle the crack in the upstream side of the Big Bear Dam. As MWD General Manager Scott Heule tells KBHR, “As of noon today [April 19], and after about two hours of dive time, no concerns regarding dam safety or adverse changes in crack dimensions were observed, according to the district’s engineer. The district’s engineer, MWH Americas, indicates that their report of the divers’ inspection findings will be available for the Board of Directors’ review within about four to six weeks.” Heule notes that, provided the weather cooperates, the dive team will move to the site of the old dam tomorrow, to document its condition and accessibility for purposes of possible future lake management activities; they will also attempt to remove some debris that is said to be located on the upstream side of the old dam.
In other news from the MWD, the agency that oversees the lake, a proposal from MWH was approved on Thursday, during the MWD Board’s regular meeting; per Heule, MWH will be asked to provide additional consulting services as the district navigates the growing complexities of local lake management, and state and federal TMDL regulations. The April 15 meeting of the MWD also included lake permit approval for the Big Bear Paddlefest (on July 10 and 11), Jazz Trax (for three days starting June 18), the Big Bear TroutfesT (in October’s first weekend), and lakeshore access from B’s Backyard BBQ for the summer weekday program of the U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center.
Update: Diving will continue as planned today, April 20.

Boating Season on Big Bear Lake Launches April 1st

Catherine Sandstrom — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:08:49 +0000

Boating season begins on Thursday!

Big Bear Lake, CA — April 1st marks the official launch of boating season on Big Bear Lake, and the Big Bear Municipal Water District will re-open both the boat launch ramps on the North Shore, which have been closed over the winter months in order to serve as an American Bald Eagle habitat area. As of Thursday, the Carol Morrison East Boat Launch Ramp (just west of Stanfield Cutoff) will be open from 6am to 6pm seven days a week, with hours to be extended later in the season; the Duane Boyer West Boat Launch Ramp (just west of Fawnskin) will be open from 6am to 2pm in the month of April. All vessels on the lake will need to have a permit, available from the MWD offices on Lakeview Drive, the launch ramps and marinas on Big Bear Lake. Per Lake Supervisor Travis Carroll, any vessel with a motor will be charged $90 for a seasonal permit, whereas the cost for a non-registered vessel, which includes non-motorized boats such as kayaks, canoes and rowboats, as well as float tubes and sailboards, is $45 per season. “One thing we did change with those,” adds Carroll, “is that the price has been reduced, per our Board of Directors, from $25 to $15 for a one-day use pass.” This year, non-registered vessels, like all other boats, will need to have a Quagga Mussel inspection prior to launch; free inspections are available where lake permits can be purchased. Explains Carroll, “We want to have a face-to-face with everyone at least one time.” Another change in this boating season is that, per the state’s Department of Boating and Waterways, children under age 13 must wear a life jacket when on a boat or vessel that is 26 feet or less in length, and every person on board a jet ski is also required to wear a life jacket. “Just remember to boat safely,” reminds Carroll, “and know that the water temperatures are still extremely cold. Lake Patrol is still on limited hours through the month of April, meaning only on the weekends. For emergencies, always remember to call 911 and the MWD at 866-5796.”
In other news from the MWD, their Board of Directors convene on Thursday, April 1 at 1pm, during which time they will vote on adoption of updated ordinances pertaining to commercial operations on the lake.

Municipal Water District to Adopt Non-Marina Kayak Rental Policy and Re-Address Old Gas Leak

Catherine Sandstrom — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:10:00 +0000

The MWD's General Manager Scott Heule

Big Bear Lake, CA — The Big Bear Municipal Water District has been addressing the issue of non-marina kayak rentals for use on Big Bear Lake for many months now. Commercial marina operators first brought the issue before the MWD, which then culled public input at a workshop in October. Since that time, the MWD’s Operations Committee, made up of MWD Directors Skip Suhay and Vince Smith, have reviewed marina contracts and public input, as well as consulting attorneys, to determine a fair method of allowing for vessel rental businesses while also honoring existing contracts and yet carrying out the MWD’s responsibility to provide the public with easy access to Big Bear Lake and attendant amenities. Per the Operations Committee’s findings, MWD General Manager Scott Heule explains, “The district has no ability to regulate businesses over the high water line of the lake. But once these rental businesses cross the high water line or enter district property, then there will be requirements, either for a concession permit or they’ll need to collaborate with a licensed commercial marina.” At the MWD Board of Directors meeting on February 18, there was public comment both for and against the proposed recommendation and, Heule concedes, marina owners were not in favor of the proposal. However, the MWD Board, now overseen by President Paula Fashempour, accepted the recommendation that will, essentially, allow for vessel rentals from non-marina businesses though, if these operations include launching or training rental customers on Big Bear Lake, a permit will need to be secured from the MWD unless these rental businesses partner with a licensed marina. Heule adds, “Amendments to resolutions will need to be voted on, which we’re hoping will be at our March 4 meeting, because the boat ramps open on April 1.”
In other news from Thursday’s MWD meeting, the Board authorized additional engineering work to address an old gas leak under the Big Bear Marina parking lot; this gas contamination, from an underground fuel tank line, pre-dates both the marina and the MWD’s ownership of the property on Lakeview Drive. “There’s no indication that it has seeped into the lake,” notes Heule, “however, we will be doing some soil sampling in the marina in the next six to eight weeks.” The $6,000 in engineering preparation for the groundwater remediation trench, to be reimbursed by the state’s Leaking Underground Storage Tank Fund, is at the direction of the Regional Water Quality Control Board as earlier methods of mitigation proved ineffective. Adds Heule, “Rather than literally digging up thousands of cubic yards of soil to mitigate the issue, we will try this one last method.”

Municipal Water District Reminds: Do Not Walk on Boat Docks or Lake Ice

Catherine Sandstrom — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:01:18 +0000

Big Bear Lake, CA — With an abundance of snow this season, the Big Bear Municipal Water District, the agency that oversees the lake, has noticed more than usual snow load on boat docks this winter. Given the extra weight on these floating structures, the MWD notes that extra caution should be exercised; dock owners and visitors need to refrain from walking on any dock. According to Lake Operations Supervisor Travis Carroll, “Extra body weight could potentially sink the dock, causing you to end up in the lake. The snow and ice on docks makes for a very unstable platform that could potentially cause a slip or fall off the dock as well.” In addition to staying off of docks, it is illegal to venture out on to the lake ice, which could result in fines up to $500 for violators. Carroll also tells KBHR, “Snow along the edge of the lake can be very deceiving in terms of where the water actually starts.” Be sure not to risk falling into the water of Big Bear Lake (whether from a dock or the lakeshore) as it could result in hypothermia as, at present, lake temperatures are hovering near 30 degrees.

Heavy snow load on boat docks can present dangers to those who use them. (Photo courtesy MWD)

Paula Fashempour Assumes MWD Presidency, Making Her First Woman to Do So in District’s 45-Year History

Catherine Sandstrom — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:00:26 +0000

MWD's Division 2 Director Paula Fashempour is the first female president in the district's 45 year history, which GM Scott Heule has deemed "an exciting thing."

The Big Bear Municipal Water District’s appointment of Division 2 Director Paula Fashempour as president is history-making as, per General Manager Scott Heule, “She is the first woman to be president for the district in 45 years, which is an exciting thing. Paula will bring a unique perspective to the presidency, as would any new president.” Though Fashempour is the MWD’s first female president, she is not the first female director to serve on the board that also includes Vice President Skip Suhay, John Eminger, Vince Smith and Todd Murphy; and, in fact, prior to Heule’s appointment as GM in 2007, 21-year MWD employee Sheila Hamilton had been general manager of the agency which oversees the lake.
Heule tells KBHR that the January 7 board reorganization meeting was upbeat, and also included some fee modifications for the 2010 boating season. Among those changes, the daily use fee for non-motorized vessels, including sailboats under 8’, has been reduced to $15 (which includes the $5 Quagga Protection Surcharge, first imposed by the district in 2009, to recover costs associated with keeping the invasive Quagga Mussel from infecting Big Bear Lake). Though the daily use fee for Big Bear Lake has been reduced, the district moved to increase the permit fees for film production, from $150 to $170, and still photography permits, noting that this is consistent with fees charged by the City of Big Bear Lake; a utility fee, of less than $3 per day, is also being implemented at the MWD’s RV park (just west of their offices) which, per Heule, should help the MWD recover about $10,000 annually.
And as, during this season of board reorganizations, we have outlined benefits for those serving in elected positions: MWD Directors receive $140.70 per meeting (not to exceed six in a month), as well as medical and dental benefits and, like City Councilmembers, a life insurance policy.