Inside
Arco Arena
We get an insider-pass at Arco Arena and find some parts of the
place few ever even knew existed. (MySacramento.me)
Craig Learoyd:
Images of Folsom MyFolsom photographer Craig Learoyd has his own photo blog! Check out his
latest pics before they are published on MyFolsom.com!
Food: Hop
Sing Palace, Mexquite Something old, something (somewhat) new. 2 great restaurants
worthy of lunch or a date night!
Folsom Lake Crossing Photos
We got on to the bridge a week before it opened. Check out the great
views of the dam!
In-N-Out Secret
Menu
Ever heard of the secret menu at In-N-Out? It's not so secret
anymore, but you can order all sorts of fun stuff like a
Flying Dutchman.
P O P U L A R :
Folsom Forum Everything in Folsom is talked about here. One of the most
popular forums in the Sacramento Valley!
Folsom Calendar What's going on in town this week? Our calendar is pretty up to
date on events.
Add your own if you'd like!
Folsom
Restaurants We review the best local eateries in town... visit a new eatery
today!
Folsom Prison Find out the history behind Folsom Prison, and the famous
inmates that have been residents here!
Folsom
Yellow Pages Check out our yellow pages, also located at
FolsomYellowPages.net. Be sure to visit our advertisers with premium
listings!
Mormon Island Rediscovered! Come see what lies beneath Folsom Lake... the mining town of
Red Bank is starting to reappear!
Sutter Street Information about the heart of Folsom since the gold rush,
Sutter Street.
Folsom Real
Estate Thinking of moving to Folsom? Visit our non-partisan real estate
guide to get a feel of the town.
Boaters will be happy to know that the 5 MPH ban is no longer in effect on Folsom Lake. The lake has gotten high enough that boaters have less obstacles to contend with. Debris from recent storms and other unmarked hazards may still be around though, so boat with caution.
Folsom Lake will soon be undergoing some dike work to Dikes 4 and 6 in the Granite Bay area. The $2 million project, unrelated to the Dam raise, will add filters and drains to help eliminate internal erosion.
It was fun while it lasted... Folsom Lake Marina was hoping to stay open until Labor Day, but due to dropping lake levels, boaters must get their boats out by August 25. Last year July 1 was the date, and before that, August 1.
An El Dorado Hills family spent the day on Folsom Lake but returned without a boat. Daniel Lanham heard a noise on the boat and before he knew it, the boat was engulfed in flames. Fortunately a small raft was on the boat and all were wearing life vests. All safely made it off but the boat is destroyed.
The lake is full, and boaters are happy. But what does that make of the water restrictions? Currently at a Stage II water alert, it may get lifted, now that federal officials have announced that cities dependent on Folsom Lake for water will get 100% water allocation.
It's hard to believe, but Folsom Lake is just about full. 935,000/977,000 acre feet of water is now in the lake, shortly after its levels seemed dire. Drought conditions are still in effect, as Oroville and Shasta are still low, but conditions are great for boating and fishing.
This is something we haven't seen in a while: high demand for parking spots at Folsom Lake. With the high water levels, it's expected that parking will be hard to come by and wait times for launching will be long. Granite Bay, Rattlesnake Bar, Folsom Point, Browns Ravine and Peninsula boat ramps are open for boat launching.
Folsom Lake is pretty full again, and the boaters are taking advantage of it. The 43rd annual Camelia Cup is this weekend, which is a series of boat races in 12 classes. Interested in racing? Go to flyc.org.
Though it's not really saying much, the rains this year have made the lake surpass 2008's high water mark in March; the lake should continue to rise until May or June. The last time the lake was this high was July 2007, and should fill to about 80% with the rain we have. Other reservoirs are not so fortunate.
Ever wanted to ride the Folsom bike trails? Here's a sneak peek of what it's like from Beale's Point to the new bridge, taken only a few days ago. It's in Hi-Def, too, so you may want to expand it out. * FrankBobbio.com
Folsom Lake is finally rising... check out some pictures a MyFolsom.com user took while out at the lake a few days ago. The lake should be at 400' soon, but a lot of debris is expected from all the runoff in the mountains.
The water issue is not going away... and the lack of rain is not helping. Folsom Lake is at 25% capacity, and the city will soon be in danger of losing its water supply. The City of Folsom will issue a Stage 3 Water Alert in the next few weeks, according to Mayor Miklos. Miklos announced this today in his State of the City address. Be prepared for drastic cuts. * Discuss in the Forums
Folsom's new dog park was part of a great 2008 for Folsom. Folsom Lake Crossing won out in a naming contest for the bridge, Intel spinoff Numonyx launched, a new parking structure on Sutter Street, and Ernie Sheldon takes Eric King's council spot. Not all was good however - the economy tanked, forcing many businesses to close, and the city is facing the lowest lake level in may years.
With water levels in the lake at historic lows, a lot of what is usually under water is now high and dry. Take a photo tour of the peninsula at Folsom Lake with our roaming photog Silverado.
The auxilary dam near Mormon Island will soon be undergoing measures to strengthen the earthen wall that holds back Folsom Lake. If you are interested in knowing more about it, there are public meetings on December 2 and 4.
Rumor had it on our forums that Folsom Lake would be lowered significantly in order for construction crews to work on the Folsom Dam Raise project. It turns out it was just that - a rumor. USBOR confirms that there will be no restrictions on lake level during the project. So boat away!
The 2,000 page Folsom Lake General Plan and Environmental Impact Report is out. What, you didn't read it? Lucky for you, Jerry Bernau prepared an executive summary, which is a quick read. Short summary - the 1979 general plan was never fully implemented, and they are planning on significantly scaling back on lake amenities. No marina expansion, and more 5 MPH zones on Folsom Lake are most notable. A public meeting for comments is set for Tuesday, and all comments are due by March 24. Executive summary / Full report
There's one upside to a drought... Folsom Lake is getting low enough to see the foundations of the old mining town, Mormon Island. We set out to rediscover this once-thriving gold-rush era town. Judging by old pictures of the town, this may only be the beginning. Hurry and check it out - the next storm may start filling the lake up. * Video on CBS 13
Folsom and the surrounding area is a beautiful place to live. If you don't believe it, check out our latest photo journal with a bunch of cool shots from in and around the Folsom area.
Granite Bay residents are not happy about the Bureau of Reclamation's plans to excavate dirt from the beaches of Folsom Lake to bolster dykes to provide flood control. Resident are concerned about the recreational impact, while the Bureau is looking for the cheapest solution.
The 4th of July was unfortunately an unhappy occasion for 2 families; In unrelated incidents, a 16-year old and a 20-year old drowned at Folsom Lake. 20-year old Roseville resident Kalen McKoy, and 16-year old Elk Grove resident Thomas Lee were both found near the Beales Point and Granite Bay ramps, respectively.
The annual Camelia Cup Sailboat Regatta was going on at Folsom Lake this weekend, and the exceptionally strong winds caused some boats to capsize. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the Coast Guard had to rescue 4 people, and boats suffered many casualties, including broken masts, rudders, and sails. * flyc.org
The US Bureau of Reclamation has heard loud and clear from the residents of Folsom... and they will not close Folsom Point from recreational use. Though part of Folsom Point will still be needed for storage, most boaters will be pleased to hear that it will still be available during the Folsom Dam raise construction.
Congestion at Folsom's boat launch areas may get worse starting this summer. A Folsom resident has read the environmental impact report and learned that the planned Dam improvements for flood control will include closing Folsom Point in the meantime, and possibly other launches. Public comments are due by January 22. * Discuss on the Folsom Forum * Sac Bee article * Telegraph article
The recent storms have brought more down the mountain than water - it's brought countless logs, sticks, and the occasional tire or refrigerator. The mess on Folsom Lake means a speed limit of 5 mph on the entire lake. Some logs are so heavy they are floating below the surface. The warm water may look inviting - but if you are a water skier, you should hold off for a bit more. On the plus side, the public is encouraged to come haul as much firewood out as you can handle! * More on News10.Net
Folsom Lake will soon be a wireless hot spot. Within a few months, SBC Communications will be rolling out wireless internet at 85 state parks and recreation areas, including Folsom Lake. As long as you are within 150 feet of a transmitter, you can gain access. The cost? $1.95 a month for SBC Yahoo customers, $7.95 a day for non-customers. Details in the Bee.
A dry spring has left the Sierras without much snow, and because of this, Folsom Lake is the lowest this early in the year since 1994, the last year of a major drought. Folsom Lake officials are already urging boaters to pull their boats from Brown's Ravine by July 20, as it soon will be dry. 575 boats remain to be pulled by next Tuesday. The lake is now at 54% capacity and will likely get to 30% capacity by September. Details in the Bee
Folsom is perhaps most well-known for its expansive trail system - miles of bikeways, jogging areas, and beautiful scenery. Folsom has been given awards for its bike-friendliness, and was the recipent of a $157,000 grant to improve the trail system. It makes sense that the city is going to continue a good thing by expanding it. Sacramento Bee article * Folsom Bike Map * Folsom Lake Trails Map
Officials did what they did every year... let out a lot of water in the winter and wait for the spring rains to come and fill the lake back up. Unfortunately, that rain never came. Folsom Lake will be at 406 feet come September, the lowest it's been in years. For boaters, that's bad news - there will be few places to launch by then. Full Story:FOX40 * BizJournal article * Discuss this on the forums
The weather is warming up and the storms have all but dissipated in Folsom. We all know what that means... it's officially lake weather. Before you head out, make sure you download a Boating Map of Folsom Lake, or even a Folsom Lake trails map if you plan on doing some hiking.
* About Folsom Lake
Northern California's most popular lake will no longer have lifeguards, at least for the time being. The state's budget crisis took its latest toll on Parks & Recreation, and Folsom Lake management had to make the decision to either cut lifeguards or park maintenance. When visiting the lake this summer, be cautious... (Full article)
For the second time in six days, a mountain lion has been spotted near Folsom Lake. Last week, a father and daughter spotted a lion and the cat eventually went away after about 10 minutes. Today, 2 bicyclists spotted one along a bike trail about 2 miles away. More info on Fox40 News.
* What to do if you spot a mountain lion
A Folsom resident, tired of being scared by nearby boats on the recreational Folsom Lake, has pitched an idea to park officials to institute a "quiet day" at Folsom Lake once a week, which would ban motor boats. Park officials are still a year away from making any decisions, but the idea does not sit well with boaters, especially with Lake Natoma just downstream, which forbids motor boats. More on TheKCRAChannel.com.
Rattlesnakes are not the only thing to be careful of in Folsom; so are coyotes. 2 coyotes attacked a dog that was off leash near Granite Bay Beach at Folsom Lake. Though the dog is OK, it's a humbling experience to say the least... coyotes usually do not go near people, however this recent attack proves they are becoming more brazen. More in TheKCRAChannel.com * Also See: Folsom's Dangerous Wildlife
With Folsom Lake in our own backyard, it's hard to believe Folsom could ever have a water shortage. With pipeline maintenance looming, it's possible for it to happen. The pieline gets shut off, and we lose our water. Fortunately for Folsom, Roseville, and other areas, a secondary backup pipeline is being considered for such a problem, and now needs to pass the Senate conference committee. More is in the Bee.
ESPN is in town for its Great Outdoor Games, which is considered the Olympics for outdoors events. A bass fishing tournament will be held at Folsom Lake on Friday and Saturday, where 10 of the best anglers in the world will be competing to pull in the largest bass in the lake. The Great Outdoor Games are being held in the Reno-Tahoe Area during this summer; The games will be televised on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2 starting July 19.
* Casting For Bass Fishing Gold (ESPN) - 7/10/03
* Folsom Lake Selected for Bass Fishing Event (ESPN) - 5/5/03
* ESPN Great Outdoor Games Website
Folsom Lake Death Resulted From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The coroner's report came in on the 11-year old who recently died at Folsom Lake. The boy died of carbon monoxide poisoning, after "teak surfing", which involves hanging on to the back of the boat while riding the wake. The boy's body was below water for 3 days after he lost consciousness and went under. More on News10.Net.
Also See: Dangers of Teak Surfing
Folsom Lake at Capacity - 466 feet above sea level
Folsom residents that have been to the lake recently have seen something the city has not seen in some time: a capacity-level lake. With the late rains and snowfall in April, water has been flowing at a rapid pace, causing boat ramps and parking lots to fill with water. While boaters of the lake have loved the increased surface water level, it has caused an issue, since some boat launches and parking lots have ended up underwater. More is in the Bee.
Also See: What boat ramps are open / Map of Folsom Lake
ESPN to Host Bass Fishing Tournament at Folsom Lake
ESPN's Great Outdoor Games will be coming to Folsom this July, as the Bass fishing event will be held at Folsom Lake on July 11 and 12 this summer. Anglers will be split in to teams of 2; teams with the highest cumaltive weight will take home 2 gold medals and $10,000. The event is free to the public and will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2 starting July 19. The Games are the championships for outdoor sports and feature target sports, timber events, and fishing. More information is available on ESPN.
Also See: Great Outdoor Games Official Site / Angler's Review of Folsom Lake
Now that the spring season is in full swing (well, it should be, at least), chances are many of you may be thinking about heading out to Folsom Lake. Download a copy of our Folsom Lake boating map for launch areas and picnic areas, and then take a look at all the hiking and biking trails around the lake. We'll soon have more maps on the way, so stay tuned!
Sailing enthusiasts will be happy to know that this weekend, Folsom Lake will host the 37th Annual Camelia Cup. More than 70 sailboats are expected to participate. Since Observation Point is now closed, the best places to watch are Brown's Ravin, Hobie Cove, or Folsom Point. Registration is $40 a boat for those participating in the race.
Also See: Folsom Lake Yacht Club / Racing Results
4.3.2003
Slow Down on Oak Avenue!
Oak Avenue, which has become a popular 2-lane road between Orangevale and Folsom, looks to find ways of slowing down traffic. Lowering the speed limit is an option (the current is 40 mph), as is traffic lights and more stop signs. Horseback riders, pedestrians, and commuters have used this road together, and when combined with speeding, leads to accidents. More is in the Bee.
Recent incidents at Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma have forced authorities to take measures to prevent excessive alcohol use at the lake. Although boaters and campers will be allowed to drink on the lake, those who are on the shore or at the picnic grounds will no longer be able to drink alcohol. A spike in DUIs and drunk in public arrests have caused the ban of alcohol, which saw a significant increase in the 2002 season. More is in the Bee, and Fox 40 News.
If you are an avid visitor of Folsom Lake, it would be wise to purchase a yearly parks pass before January 1, when park fees rise from $35 to $67. State-wide budget cuts are to blame for the raise in park fees - the revenue will drive in $9 million for the next fiscal year. Boaters will also notice that there will be additional fees for launching, at $45 a year. Day use passes for Folsom Lake will rise to $5, and $4 more for launching a boat. More in the Bee.
Also See: Folsom Lake State Recreation Area / Sac BizJournal Article
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area's general plan is 25 years old, and is due for an update. As part of the process, the public is welcome to attend workshops in helping mold its future. This is your chance to help plan for the future of Folsom's finest resource. Wednesday November 20th will be the first public workshop, at Folsom Middle School (on Blue Ravine, just past Target). More information is in the Bee.
Also See: Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Official Website
Folsom Lake Boating Season Drawing to a Close Soon
It's September, and many Folsom boaters know what that means... the start of the end of Folsom's boating season. The lowering water levels at Folsom Lake show that soon it will be too shallow for recreational boating, such as water-skiing or wakeboarding. If you're not quite ready to let go of summer yet, you better head out to Folsom Lake - you only have a couple of weeks left!
Also See: Folsom Lake Links & Web Cams
Folsom has had little problems filling hotel rooms during the business week, however vacancy rates on the weekends are something the Folsom Tourism Bureau wants to improve upon. Folsom is looking to make the city more of a destination to residents of the Bay Area and other areas. Folsom's proximity to the gold country, rafting areas, as well as historical hotspots such as Sutter Street, the Folsom Powerhouse, and Folsom Lake to name a few, are making the city an attractive option on the weekends. Click here for the full article in the Bee.
