As Temperatures Drop, Stay Off The Lake Ice

Big Bear, Ca, November 14, 2011, 12:00pm - As the weather gets colder in Big Bear Valley, the Big Bear Municipal Water District is reminding everyone of the dangers of walking on lake ice. Not only can it cost you your life, it can cost you money, and jeopardize the safety of rescuers. Every winter the San Bernardino County Sheriff and MWD receive calls related to people walking on lake ice, and although there have not been any reportable incidents in many years, the potential for disaster is there. Water temperatures in Big Bear Lake during the winter months can average between 35 to 40 degrees even when there’s no ice. If you end up in the water, you could be unconscious in less than 15 minutes. Not only are people at risk, your pets are too. Our local Fire Departments have rescued several dogs over the years that have ventured out unattended and not on a leash. Throughout the winter it is not uncommon to see Big Bear Lake Fire, Big Bear City Fire and San Bernardino County Fire training for ice rescues. Please remember to STAY OFF LAKE ICE, it’s against the law, you will be fined up to $500, and you could lose your life. If you see anyone on the ice, call 911 and report it immediately.

Lake Temperatures Are Getting Colder, Boat With Care

Big Bear, Ca, November 2, 2011, 1:00pm - Lake temperatures are dropping, and the Municipal Water District encourages you to be safe when boating, kayaking or canoeing this time of year.  Currently lake temperatures are in the low 50’s, and according to the MWD will drop another 4 or 5 degrees with the cold weather that is approaching.  The west boat ramp is already closed for the season, and the east boat ramp will close on November 30^th.  The lake never officially closes, however boaters are encouraged to take caution on the water with the colder temperatures, especially when ice starts to form on the surface of the lake.

East Boat Ramp All Clear For Swimming

Small Spill Near East Boat Ramp

Big Bear, Ca, September 22, 2011, 12:00pm - If you have been over to the East Boat Ramp on the Northshore of Big Bear Lake recently you may have noticed signs urging swimmers to stay out of the water.  Early Tuesday morning, east boat ramp workers showed up at 7:00am to open up the ramp, and noticed some sewage was leaking near the building, and some had gone in the water.  The Big Bear Area Wastewater Agency immediately responded and found a small leak in a pipe at the boat ramp.  By 7:30am the leak had been contained and fixed.  According to Joe Hanford, BBARWA Plant Superintendent, the leak was estimated to be 100 gallons of sewage that went into the lake.  While that may seem like a lot to you, Scott Heule at the MWD told KBHR that this amount is actually very small when you look at the size of the lake.  An acre foot is 325,000 gallons, and currently there are 70,000 acre feet, meaning there is 22,750,000,000 gallons of water in the lake, which means the 100 gallon spill was very insignificant.  Hanford told KBHR that the only problem with the spill is that it happened in a small bay, which means the spill was contained, however yesterdays water samples show that the water in the bay is already cleaning up, and by tomorrow that area should be clear to swim in again.  Huele told KBHR that BBARWA was great, and that they responded immediately, taking care of the problem.

DWP Acquisition Off The Table

Big Bear, Ca, July 21, 2011, 10:30am - The acquisition of the City of Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power by the Municipal Water District, which has been undergoing an evaluation process for the past three months was terminated at the MWD’s meeting on July 21^st.  According to General Manager of the MWD, Scott Huele, the District Board identified four conditions they wanted to see satisfied to finalize the acquisition process. These conditions included a significant cost savings to the DWP and its customers, create efficiencies of scale – eliminating a layer of government in the valley, the resulting structure would be neutral or beneficial to the employees joining the District from the DWP, and the final condition was to not detract from the operation of the DWP or MWD.  After many meetings the MWD Board determined that organizational compromises required of the District as a consequence of the acquisition would negatively impact the mission of the District, as the impact on the District with the new structure of a shared general manager would require a significant reorganization of personnel and jobs.   Therefore the Municipal Water District and the Department of Water and Power will continue to operate as separate entities.

 

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MWD Moves Forward With DWP Aquisition & Makes Plans For Trout Pond

Big Bear, Ca, June 17, 2011, 1:00pm - The Municipal Water District Board of Directors decided on July 16^th that it would move forward in acquiring the Department of Water and Power.  Board Members authorized council to begin drafting paperwork to file imminent domain on the DWP.  Both organizations, including the Big Bear Lake City Council are in favor of the absorption of the DWP by the MWD.  At the meeting, board members of the MWD also approved a balanced budget, and approved an additional $100,000 towards herbicide for milfoil treatment.  Milfoil is an invasive species, or waterweed that has become more abundant this year due to the increased water levels.  The MWD also approved the trout pond clean up plan which consists of demolishing the bait shack, remove abandoned vehicles from the property, clear the property of debris and trash, drain the pond and identify the amount of sediment that needs to be removed from the pond.  Long term ideas and goals for the pond include excavating the sediment from the pond, develop warm or cold fish rearing habitats to allow for different types of fish, and possibly develop an onsite regionally connected trail system.  The trout pond was acquired by the MWD last year.

 

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DWP Board Members Stay The Same

Big Bear, Ca, June 17, 2011, 12:00pm - The City of Big Bear Lake City Council met on June 16^th in a special meeting to discuss, and appoint board members to the Department of Water and Power Board of Directors.   Council members decided to keep current sitting board members in their place to keep continuity on the board while the DWP and the Municipal Water District go through the motions of becoming one organization.  Bob Tarras, Steve Foulkes and Bill Giamarino will keep their current seats, they will continue serving with Don Smith and Fred Miller. Mayor Bill Jahn had the following to say about the appointments: “It is great to have consistency when you consider what is going on with the possible merger, its not time to really change horses, and I was happy to see the 3 incumbents re apply.”  The MWD is currently looking into taking on the responsibilities of the DWP in an effort to combine resources, and save taxpayers money.  The DWP board members, and City Council are in favor of combining of resources and responsibilities.

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Boating Safety Tips

Big Bear Lake, CA, May 26, 2011, noon - This holiday weekend is the unofficial start of the summer boating season on Big Bear Lake. While you’re having fun out on the water, the MWD has some safety tips to keep in mind so your boating trip doesn’t turn into an unexpected tragedy. Launch Ramp Supervisor Tyler Cockrell tells Big Bear News there are some basic guidelines you should keep in mind if you’re weekend plans include boating on the lake. Bring your patience. Launch ramps and Marinas will be busy. All boats are required to have a quagga mussel inspection and lake permit. Remember Clean, Drained and Dry. If a vessel does not meet these requirements, they will be decontaminated at no extra cost. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. Intoxicated boaters often put themselves in dangerous situations such as leaning over the side of a boat, or jumping from one vessel to another. Intoxicated passengers also often stand or move about in vessels resulting in falls overboard, or causing the boat to capsize, placing all aboard in danger. Anyone who drinks alcohol on board is at risk. Always wear your PFD or Life Jacket! A PFD can dramatically increase your chances of survival. Sudden immersion in ice-cold water can cause temporary paralysis and drowning. Also, a PFD is required for all passengers on board your vessel. Children age 12 and under are required to wear a PFD while the vessel is underway. Lake Patrol will be out on the lake to assist boaters and enforce boating law. Call 866-5796 to contact Lake Patrol.

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Adopt A Shoreline Keeps Big Bear Lake Beautiful

Big Bear Lake, Ca April 30, 2011 3:00 pm – Big Bear Lake’s Adopt-a-Shoreline program kicks off this year on May 7.  The program, similar to Cal Trans’ successful Adopt-A-Highway, asks volunteers to choose a section of the lake’s shoreline or a trashcan, and help to keep that specific area clean during the lake season.  The kick off festivities are a fun way to get started.  Tyler Cockrell, the Municipal Water District’s coordinator for the program says, “All participants will receive a t-shirt, trash pickers, bags, gloves, and a hat.”  During the kick off, volunteers are given instructions and then spend a few hours picking up trash.  They are encouraged to continue picking up trash in their adopted area throughout the summer and the MWD will provide trash bags as needed.  The kick off starts at 9:00 am next Saturday at the MWD office at 40524 Lakeview Drive.  Cockrell says, “This is an excellent opportunity for kids, adults, and community groups to participate in a great outdoor activity, help the environment, and keep Big Bear beautiful too!

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More information is available on the MWD website

Adopt a Shoreline Kickoff

Meet at the Municipal Water District office, 40524 Lakeview Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA.  All participants receive a t-shirt, trash pickers, bags, gloves, a hat, and instructions, then are directed to locations to pick up trash.  Call Tyler Cockrell, Launch Ramp Supervisor for additional information 909-866-5796

Read/Listen to the full story:  Adopt A Shoreline Keeps Big Bear Beautiful

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