Lake Lowered by Dam Gate Failure Reopens
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FOLSOM, Calif. — Boaters and other water enthusiasts returned to Folsom Lake on Sunday, about a week after a dam gate gave way, lowering the lake about 25 feet.
“It’s definitely nice for us to get back into business. It’s nice to have the water back,” said Ken Christensen, manager at the lake’s marina.
With sailboaters, swimmers, anglers and skiers back on water, the only noticeable difference was that some sandy beaches were lost, Christensen said.
“Most people when they come out here are expecting it to be worse than it is,” he said.
The lake was closed last Monday after a 90-ton gate buckled, unleashing a thundering white-water torrent that forced the evacuation of boaters, hikers and anglers along the American River.
It could take a year to fix the gate, but U.S. the Bureau of Reclamation has slowed the leak with a temporary water boom.
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