Fire And Water - 2009

Supplement to the and Published in partnership with Placer County Water Agency

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FIRE & WATER • June 2009

Water conservation: Making every drop count There is no substitute for water. Water is in our air, in our food and in our land. We drink it, bathe in it and even use its soothing sounds to find inner peace. Water makes up about 60 percent of our bodies and more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface. Water helped create life, and clean water sustains it. All of the water we have is all that we’ll ever get, so it behooves us to use it wisely and save every drop possible — indoors, outdoors and in the workplace. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans' landscape irrigation use is estimated to account for roughly 7 billion gallons of water each day. Irrigation experts estimate that up to 50 percent of water used for landscape irrigation may be lost due to over-watering, evaporation, or bad irrigation system design and maintenance. The EPA estimates that the amount of water wasted is equivalent to letting a family of four run the shower continuously for almost one week. The Irrigation Association has named July "Smart Irrigation Month." The organization's goal is to raise awareness for the importance of water conservation. According to the association, most homeowners are unaware of their inefficient water use and what they can do to use less. Here are some helpful tips to conserve water, both inside and outside your home:

IN THE HOME • Run your dishwasher and

WATER-WISE HOUSE CALLS Did you know the Placer County Water Agency offers WaterWise House Calls? A trained technician will come to your home, business, apartment house or mobile home park and check for leaks and give you customized water-use tips, outdoor irrigation check-ups and provide watering schedules. To schedule an appointment call PCWA Customer Services at (530) 823-4850 or 800-464.0030. During the call a technician will: • Evaluate the efficiency of the irrigation system. • Provide an irrigation watering schedule. • Identify irrigation leaks, broken or mismatched sprinkler heads, high pressure and other common problems. • Provide water efficiency program materials and water-wise landscaping tips. • Check the toilets for leaks and replace toilet flapper valves, if needed, and requested. • Install water-efficient shower heads and faucet aerators if needed and requested.

your water and energy usage in half with these models. ~ Tips courtesy Placer County Water Agency

IN THE YARD

FILE/BEN FURTADO • GOLD COUNTRY NEWS SERVICE

Kim Wright, owner of Avantgarden in Downtown Auburn, waters a flourishing bamboo plant. washing machine only when you have a full load. • Fix toilet leaks. To determine if your toilet is leaking, add food coloring to the tank water and let it sit 15 minutes. If the color appears in the bowl, there is a leak. • Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Faucets can flow at two to three gallons per minute.

• Replace older toilets (those built prior to 1992) with new high-efficiency models. The new HET toilets use less than half as much water as older models. • Install new efficient showerheads and faucet aerators. • Make your next washing machine and dryer water and energy savers. Look for the EnergyStar logo. You can cut

1. Sweep your sidewalks and driveway rather than hosing them down. 2. Install a drip irrigation system around your shrubs, flower and vegetable gardens. Drip irrigation systems use about 70 percent less water than conventional sprinklers; they deliver water slowly and directly to the plant’s root system. 3. Install a rain sensor. Such sensors interrupt the watering program when a specific amount of rain has fallen. 4. Use your irrigation timer. New technology makes it easier than ever to program and monitor your watering needs. Consider upgrading your timer — automatic, programmable timers save more water than mechanical models. 5. Layer mulch around your

plants. Mulching helps to retain moisture and prevents evaporation. A generous amount of 3 inches to 5 inches is best. 6. Don’t fertilize during hot, dry weather. Applying fertilizer can actually enhance drought problems. And when you do feed your lawn and garden use a slow release fertilizer. 7. Raise the blade on your lawn mower. Closely cropped grass requires more water. 8. Recycle your grass clippings back into your lawn by using a mulching mower. You’ll not only conserve water, you’ll save time while mowing. 9. Using plants that are native to your climate require less watering, and can reduce outdoor water use by 20 percent to 50 percent. 10. If you use a hose and portable sprinkler, purchase a hose end timer to regulate your water use.

~ Tips courtesy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Falling trees wreak havoc on power supply PG&E program hopes to reduce downed lines Pacific Gas and Electric Company is working to prevent tree-caused power outages in the Sierra. This year, in addition to routine vegetation management work, PG&E began specialized work on trees that pose a safety and reliability hazard along high-voltage, overhead power lines in selected areas of the Sierras and throughout its service area. The “reliability” program uses historical data to develop a targeted outage reduction strategy in areas that have experienced multiple occurrences of treecaused outages. When trees or limbs fall into lines, electricity is cut off until the debris is removed and damage is repaired. By taking action and pruning branches above high voltage lines,

SAFETY TIPS FOR TREES: • Never attempt to prune trees near power lines yourself. Only line clearance qualified personnel should work within 10 feet of high-voltage power lines. • Do not allow children to climb trees growing near power lines. Never build tree houses in trees growing near power lines.

power pole. • If you believe that a tree poses a danger to a high-voltage power line (those lines near the top of the pole), please call 1.800.PGE.5000 to arrange an inspection. For more information about PG&E’s vegetation management program and to learn more about planting the right tree in the right place, please visit pge.com/trees.

• Plant the right tree in the right place. Make sure the mature tree height is at least 10 feet away from power lines. No trees should be planted within 10 feet of a

~ PG&E

FILE/BEN FURTADO • GOLD COUNTRY NEWS SERVICE

PG&E workers Bill Smith, at left, and Steve Hakker labor to restore power in Meadow Vista in the wake of a fierce wind and rainstorm in January 2008 that knocked out electricity to 40,000 customers in Placer County.

PG&E hopes to reduce power outages and the potential for fires. “With customers being our number one priority, this proactive approach has the potential to

reduce tree-caused outages by more then 50 percent over the next five years within our entire service area,” said Nelsen Money, supervising manager of PG&E’s vegetation

PREPARING FOR POWER OUTAGES • Have battery-operated flashlights and radios with fresh batteries ready. Listen for updates on storm conditions and power outages. • If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work (such as a cordless phone or answering machine), plan for alternate communication — have a standard telephone handset, cellular telephone or pager ready as a back up. • Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling.

DURING AN OUTAGE • When the power is out, unplug or turn off all electric appliances to avoid overloading circuits and fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal. • If you have a standby generator, make sure that it's installed safely and inform PG&E to avoid risking damage to your property and endangering PG&E line workers who may be working on nearby power lines. • Avoid the risk of fire by not using candles. If you must use candles, keep them away from drapes, lampshades and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.

management program in the company’s Sierra division. PG&E operates nearly 113,000 miles of distribution lines and nearly 19,000 miles of transmis-

sion lines throughout northern and central California. These high-voltage power lines are patrolled annually and approximately 1.5 million trees are worked each year to prevent them from growing or falling into power lines.

PG&E uses directional pruning methods to keep trees from growing into power lines. Directional pruning allows trees to grow away from power lines and is promoted by the international society of arborists and the National Arborists Association.

REPORT A POWER OUTAGE: 1-800-743-5002 • Before calling PG&E about a power outage, check to see if other neighbors are affected. This would confirm if an outage has occurred in just your residence or within the neighborhood area. • If only your residence is without power, check circuit breakers and/or fuse boxes to see if the problem is limited to the home electric system. • After performing the steps above, single or neighborhood outages can be reported to: PG&E's 24-Hour Emergency and Customer Service Line: 1-800-743-5002 • Once your outage has been reported, you can call PG&E's Outage Information Line at 1-800-743-5002 to get a status report on your outage and the anticipated time your power will be turned back on. • If you lose power overnight, you can call PG&E to request a wake-up call. We'll be happy to give you a wake-up call, as well as up-to-date information on your outage and time of restoration. • PG&E phone lines may become very busy during major storms, so be patient when you are trying to reach someone.

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FIRE & WATER • June 2009

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FIRE & WATER • June 2009

Summer 2009 looking to be drier, hotter Residents need to take steps to protect their homes, property BRAD HARRIS CAL FIRE UNIT CHIEF

Nearly one million acres of land burned last summer in Northern California and summer 2009 is, once again, shaping up to be a challenging one for both the residents and firefighters in Placer County. We are in the third year of a severe drought and the trend for the past several years has been hotter and drier conditions and higher levels of fire danger throughout the state. It is more important than ever for the residents of Placer County to follow a few simple steps to increase the survivability of their homes well in advance. Over the years we’ve learned the two most common ways that buildings are lost during wildland fires are from direct heat and flames, or from burning embers that can blow up to a mile ahead of the fire. This knowledge has led to a two-pronged approach: Heat and flames must be kept away from buildings and the

ability of embers to ignite buildings must be eliminated. California law requires that homeowners clear flammable vegetation within 100 feet around buildings to create defensible space for firefighters to safely protect their homes. Ongoing education and inspection are conducted to enforce those requirements. The second component is to construct buildings that resist burning embers. Buildings catch fire when burning embers fall on wood roofs, blow into the building through vents, pile up in cracks, or lodge under boards. Ignition-resistant construction creates an "envelope" around the structure to decrease the number of burning embers that can enter the building. By building the structure in a way that diminishes ember intrusion, the main cause of home loss during wildland-urban interface fires can be reduced or even eliminated. For more information about living safely in California’s wildland-urban interface, visit the Cal Fire Web site at fire.ca.gov. Brad Harris is the CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Chief.

FILE/BEN FURTADO • GOLD COUNTRY MEDIA

Fire & Water Use this guide and enjoy a safer summer Heavy fuels burn at the American River Complex blaze July 8, 2008.

We should all be grateful we live in one of the most beautiful areas of the world, framed by the Sierra foothills and the Sacramento Valley. Rugged and resilient, the area is yet fragile to the changing climate and the threat of wildfire. As we’ve seen in past summers, wildland fire can directly threaten local structures and lives or, as in the case of last year’s fires, pollute our air for weeks at a time. Thanks to sound water management by the

Tony Hazarian Gold Country Media

Placer County Water Agency, residents here haven’t faced the same type of conservation measures that have hit homeowners and businesses to the south. But the veil of drought remains. It’s with appreciation and respect for our local

land and water that we produce this section. Thanks to the support of PCWA, CAL FIRE and other agencies, this section provides essential information on keeping safe and hydrated this summer and fall, when the threat of fire and water shortage are at their greatest. For example, you’ll learn: • How to properly defend your property from the threat of fire using “defensible space” practices.

• Proper safety techniques to use on local lakes and rivers. • Ways to save water inside and outside your home. You might not know enough about the state water situation. So enjoy this copy of “Fire & Water” and share it with your family, friends and neighbors. And if you do prepare your home against fire threat or water waste, get to it now, before the mercury climbs any higher. Thanks for reading.

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Is your property a fire waiting to happen? BY SCOTT SERENBETZ

FIVE TIPS TO DEFEND YOUR HOME

BUSHWACKERS, INC.

You may think the worst thing about your overgrown property is that it’s simply an ugly mess. But did you know that the same conditions that make it unattractive also make it a fire hazard? All it takes is one spark to ignite a patch of brush or pile of dried leaves, and the resulting damage to your land — or worse, to your home — can be devastating. Unfortunately, many people procrastinate in eliminating their fire risks, even as we move into prime fire season. As if the risk of fire isn’t enough, there are a couple of other reasons why you shouldn’t put it off. First, creating and maintain-

• Remove dead shrubs, dried grass, fallen branches and dried leaves 100 feet around your house. • Trim and separate plants and shrubs to stop fire from spreading. • Remove ladder fuels — plants, shrubs and low branches that let a fire on the ground climb into the trees. • Clear five feet around the base of the house and fill the space with fire resistant plants or materials such as rocks or gravel. • Take care of the clean, open space around your home on a regular basis. ~ U.S. Forest Service

FILE/BEN FURTADO • GOLD COUNTRY NEWS SERVICE

Battalion Chief Keith Drone of the Foresthill Fire Protection District surveys a home in Foresthill for defensible space. ing 100 feet minimum of “defensible space” around all homes and structures is the law.

Second, insurance companies won’t insure your home if they consider your property too big

of a fire hazard. Once you’ve set out to tackle hazardous vegetation, carefully evaluate the risk of doing the work yourself before you assume it’s a good idea. Finally, implement an annual maintenance routine to keep your property safe. Every year, revisit the things that make

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your property a fire hazard and address those that need attention. Remember, there’s a bonus in making your property fire safe — it’s bound to look better and be more usable, too! Scott Serenbetz is the president of Bushwachers, Inc. Land Clearing Services.

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FIRE & WATER • June 2009

Fire: What to do BEFORE A FIRE: • Create defensible space to separate your home from flammable vegetation and materials (minimum 100 feet) • Adhere to all local fire and building codes and weed abatement ordinances. • Store important papers in a fireproof container. • Make evacuation plans with family.

DURING A WILDLAND FIRE: • Turn on a battery operated radio to get latest emergency information. • If you have a ladder, prop it against the house so you and firefighters have access to roof. • If hoses and adequate water are available set them up. Fill buckets with

water. • Remove combustible materials from the area surrounding your house (lawnchairs, tables, etc.) • Turn a light on in each room for visibility in case of smoke. • Open or take down flammable drapes and curtains • Close all venetian blinds and non flammable window coverings. • Move upholstered furniture away from windows and sliding glass doors. • Be ready to evacuate all family members and pets when requested to do so. • Turn off air conditioning/air circulation systems. • Detach electrical garage doors. Back in your car and leave the keys in the ignition. • Secure your pets if

possible.

AFTER A WILDLAND FIRE: • Check with fire officials before attempting to return to your home. • Use caution when reentering a burned area — flare-ups can occur. • Check grounds for hot spots smoldering stumps and vegetation. Use your buckets of water. • Check the roof and exterior areas for sparks and embers. • Check the attic and throughout the house for hidden burning sparks and embers. • Continue to check for problem areas for several days. • Contact 911 if any danger is perceived. • If burning outside your home was extensive, watch for soil erosion.

Fire agencies in Western Placer County CALFIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) (530) 889-0111 United States Forest Service (USFS) Tahoe National Forest American River Ranger District (530) 367-2224

Placer Hills Fire Protection District (530) 878-0405 Rocklin City Fire Department (916) 625-5300 Rocklin Fire Protection District (916) 625-5300

Alta Volunteer Fire Department (530) 389-2676

Roseville City Fire Department (916) 774-5800

Auburn City Fire Department (530) 823-4211

South Placer Fire Protection District (916) 791-7059

Colfax City Volunteer Fire Department (530) 346-6776

Fire information lines:

Foresthill Fire Protection District (530) 367-2465 Lincoln City fire Department (916) 645-4040 Loomis Fire Protection District (916) 652-6858 Newcastle Fire Protection District (916) 663-3323 Penryn Fire Protection District (916) 663-3389

CAL FIRE Web: fire.ca.gov Info line: (530) 823-4083 Placer County Office of Emergency Services Web: placer.ca.gov/emergency Info line: (530) 886-5310 (only activated during emergency) US Forest Service Web: inciweb.org Tahoe National Forest Info line: (530) 367-2224

Keep fireworks out of Fourth of July celebrations

FILE/BEN FURTADO • GOLD COUNTRY MEDIA

Fireworks are banned in unincorporated Placer County, even if they were purchased in cities that allow “Safe and Sane” fireworks.

Fireworks of all sizes and types are banned in unincorporated areas of Placer County because of the fire risks they create. The only exception is displays approved by county officials and put on by pyrotechnic companies licensed by the California State Fire Marshal. As a result of the ban, fireworks are not sold at roadside stands in unincorporated areas of Placer County. The ban also makes it illegal to discharge fireworks in unincorporated areas even if they were purchased legally at roadside stands in local cities or

other jurisdictions throughout the region that allow fireworks. Some cities within Placer County allow “Safe and Sane” fireworks. City residents should check with city offices to find out whether fireworks are permitted and what the rules are. Placer County’s ban on fireworks applies to unincorporated communities such as Alta, Applegate, Dutch Flat, Foresthill, Granite Bay, Meadow Vista, Newcastle, Penryn and Sheridan. To apply for a fireworks display permit, visit placer.ca.gov/FormsApps Permits/FireworksInfo.aspx.

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FIRE & WATER • June 2009

Good water flows from clean, healthy watershed T

he Placer County Water Agency works in collaboration with other organizations to promote healthy forests on the lands that provide our water supplies. As stewards of Placer County’s water resources, we are most aware that a highquality water supply depends upon a high quality watershed. Water to PCWA customers flows from the Yuba-Bear river watershed and from the American River watershed. Yuba-Bear water is delivered to the agency under contract with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. PCWA holds extensive water rights on the Middle Fork of the American River. Fire can be a major threat to our watersheds and the quality of our public water supplies. Fire often leads to soil disruption, erosion and siltation that can cloud clear mountain water. Lessons of the Star Fire The impacts of devastating fire were brought home in August and September of 2001 when the Star Fire charred more than 16,000 acres around PCWA Middle Fork Project lands in the Tahoe and Eldorado national forests. It was an eerie scene on that early September Saturday when members of the PCWA board and staff drove through the smoke-filled forest to the Star Fire command post at French Meadows Reservoir. There we were briefed by U.S. Forest Service firefighters. Our Forest Service colleagues explained not only their tactics for controlling the fire but also their plans to limit long-term

ecological damage to the watershed. As air tankers and helicopters dropped fire By David A. Breninger retardant, General Manager Forest Service Placer County specialists on Water Agency the ground were already fanning out into the woods, inspecting burned areas and making stream restoration plans. Following the fire, damages from fire suppression activities were repaired, areas around creeks and streams were contoured and mulched and in some cases planted with native vegetation. Many burned and dead trees were removed. Owners of burned private property in the area, working under Cal-Fire guidelines, also moved forward to restore watershed health. The Star Fire came at a time when many of us in the water industry were beginning to take a more active interest in the quality of our watershed lands. At PCWA, we learned important lessons about good watershed management. Foothill water systems As many homes in the Placer County foothills are vulnerable to wildfire, so is the PCWA water supply system. Many of the canals that carry water from the mountains originated in the Gold Rush era and some flumes are still built and supported with

Steps to b

wood. Some canals are located in remote, heavily-wooded and overgrown canyons. In cooperation with rural landowners, our field crews seek to preserve access for maintenance and to limit fire danger around these important canal systems. Healthy waters and more Clean, productive watersheds will promote higher quality water supplies for the citizens of Placer County. They will also benefit sustainable forestry, agriculture, habitat protection, cultural and historic resource protection, open space preservation and outdoor recreation. Good watershed management is a key part of providing a healthy, sustainable water supply that can be put to reasonable and beneficial uses by the people of Placer County. This is a legacy for us to pass on to future generations.

Understand landscapi With proper research and planning you can create a firesafe landscape without using excessive amounts of water. Water efficiency and fire safety can go hand in hand. The Sierra Nevada Alliance has assembled detailed information on how homeowners can enjoy beautiful, fire-safe landscapes. Observe the flammable materials on your property and

consider needs for defensible space around your home that would interrupt a fire’s path, protect buildings and allow firefighter access. Consider vegetation modifications to take advant of low growing, fire resistant plants with high moisture content but low in oil conten Avoid plants that tend to accumulate excessive dead wood.

Landscape the Sierra Wa

The high intensity of the Star Fire in 2001 injured the Middle Fork watershed.

The Sierra Nevada Alliance has published an illustrated 160-page book titled “Sierra Nevada Yard & Garden: A Homeowner’s Guide to Landscaping in the Sierra Nevada.” The guide places emphasis on water efficiency and fire safety as it offers information on climate, soils, plants, yard and

garden design, irrigation an much more for Sierra communities. It should be every gardener’s bookshelf. For a copy, contact: Sierra Nevada Alliance 2489 Lake Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA 961 530.542.4546 www.sierranevadaalliance.o

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being water wiser

Map courtesy of Sierra Nevada Alliance

Be aware of the water all around us

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The alliance recommends the use of a zoned approach for fire safety around your home. The zoned approach for our foothill area includes a “Lean and Green Zone” of up to 30 feet immediately surrounding the home, a “My Sierra Zone” that extends another 30 feet to 100 feet to a transition zone of 100 feet and beyond.

Plant right trees, shrubs

From the creeks and ravines to the raging waters of the American River, water weaves itself throughout the Sierra foothills. Each source must be treated with care and respect – for both quality and quantity. The canals that wind through commercial areas and close to residential neighborhoods carry essential supplies of water throughout the region. During winter and spring, rainstorms can rise into swift-moving streams. Water levels of the forks of the American River can change throughout the day, depending on the release of water upstream. Use caution around water. Don’t take any water level, swimming hole or current for granted. Respect the water around us, and it will return the favor.

The American River, above, and regional canals move water efficiently throughout the region.

Shrubs Bush Anemone Western Redbud

Sage species Shrubby Cinquefoil Toyon Groundcovers Bearberry Creeping Mahonia Evergreen Current Rockrose Rosemary

Water efficiency: PCWA has answers PCWA offers a range of customer services and helpful literature as part of its Water Efficiency Program. Services range from customer rebates for installation of efficient fixtures and appliances to Water Wise house calls. Many helpful tips for saving water around the house and yard are offered. For helpful information, see www.pcwa.net. Go to the Customer Service section and click on the Water Efficiency tab.

10 ways to cut fire risk The Sierra Nevada Alliance recommends these fire risk reduction measures by removing: • Dry or dead vegetation • Dead branches of trees • Tree branches (alive or dead) within six feet of roof • Tree branches within 15 feet of a chimney or stovepipe • Vegetation in proximity to power lines • Woodpiles to within a minimum of 30 feet of structures

during fire season • Woodpiles that could roll downhill toward structures • Flammable decoration, outdoor furniture or hardware - to a minimum of 30 feet of structures from June through midSeptember • Flammable materials from beneath deck or porch structures • Flammable shrubs such as juniper, arbor vitae and mugo pine

Stay in touch

Here is a sampling of vegetation you may wish to consider for your Sierra Foothills landscape. Trees Crape Myrtle Trident Maple Crabapple Various Oak Various Pine

Audra Davison of the PCWA Water Efficiency staff adjusts an irrigation controller during a Water Wise house call.

P.O. Box 6570, 144 Ferguson Road Auburn, CA 95604/530.823.4580

www.pcwa.net

PCWA Update is the bimonthly newsletter produced by the Placer County Water Agency to keep customers and interested citizens up-to-date on the agency’s programs and activities. The newsletter is distributed with water bills and is also posted on the PCWA website at www.pcwa.net.

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FIRE & WATER • June 2009

Do you know what to do if a skier falls in the water? Follow these tips to have fun and be safe in local rivers, lakes The Sierra foothills are blessed with wonderful hiking trails, vibrant plant and animal life and lots of water in ravines, streams, rivers and lakes. With so much water around, it’s critical that safety measures be understood and practiced. Placid lakes and cold, swiftrunning streams can prove deadly in a matter of seconds. If you plan on cooling off in the American River or taking the boat out on nearby lakes, wear a life jacket at all times. And if you’re near whitewater, make sure the device fits snugly and offers the flotation needed to swim safely in swift waters. Whitewater rivers contain hazards that are not always easily recognized, says American Whitewater, an organization devoted to conservation, recreation and stewardship of the nation’s rivers. For example, high water in the early summer usually increases the river’s speed and power. Higher water can be colder as well, and cold water will drain your energy and your decision-making abilities. Items in the water, such as brush, fallen trees and bridge pilings are called “strainers,” and can pin boats and boaters. When water drops over an obstacle or rock it curls back on itself, forming a strong upstream current, which may be capable of holding a boat or swimmer. An experienced and reliable river guide is essential in making your trip down the river safe and enjoyable.

FILE/BEN FURTADO • GOLD COUNTRY NEWS SERVICE

Practice safe habits to enjoy all the waterways in Placer County.

ON THE RIVER American Whitewater offers a number of safety tips around fast-moving waters: • Be a competent swimmer, with the ability to handle yourself underwater. • Wear a solid, correctly fitted helmet when upsets are likely. • Do not boat out of control. Your skills should be sufficient to stop or reach shore before reaching danger. Do not enter a rapid unless you are reasonably sure that you can run it safely. • Have a frank knowledge of your boating ability, and don’t attempt rivers or rapids that lie beyond that ability. • Be in good physical and mental condition, consistent with the difficulties that may be expected. Make adjustments for loss of skills due to age, health or fitness. Any health limitations must be explained to your fellow paddlers prior to

starting the trip. • Be practiced in self-rescue, including escape from an overturned craft. • Be trained in rescue skills, CPR, and first aid with special emphasis on the recognizing and treating hypothermia. It may save your friend’s life. • Carry equipment needed for unexpected emergencies, including footwear that will protect your feet when walking out, a throw rope, knife, whistle, and waterproof matches. • Do not wear bulky jackets, ponchos, heavy boots, or anything else that could reduce your ability to survive a swim.

ON THE LAKE The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety offers these top 10 summer water sport safety tips for water-skiers, wakeboarders and tubers: • Float first: Ensure anyone

being towed has a properly fitting life jacket that won’t ride up over a wearer’s head if they take a spill. A Type III vest is best because it has the extra buckles to provide a snug fit and is built for taking a hard fall. • Talk to the hand: A rider has very little control over a tube, and skiers and boarders need control help, too. Before anyone jumps in the water, go over a few standard hand signals, such as stop (hand slashing the neck), slow (thumb down), speed up (thumb up), OK (tip of index finger and thumb together), turn (point finger upward in a circular motion) and return to dock (pat head). • Engine off: Always turn off the boat’s engine when a rider is entering or exiting the water. Not only can a prop rotate while the motor is in “neutral,” the engine exhaust produces carbon monoxide. Also never back

up to retrieve a fallen rider. • Wait for the OK: Once a skier is in the water, wait until they are far enough away from the boat and signal that it’s OK to start the engine. • Spotter is a must: It’s very important to have constant visual contact with anyone being towed. It’s also the law in most states. • Look before turning: Let’s face it. It’s the turns that really make water sports fun. But don’t leave those at the end of the towline guessing when the next turn is coming. The hand signal for turning is a pointing finger upward in a circular motion, then pointing to the direction of turn. • Think big: Keep in mind that with kids on the end of a long towline, your boat’s safety “footprint” is now much larger. That means being extra cautious when near other boaters, docks, navigational aids, and crossing wakes. • Two head turns for every “drop”: As soon as someone falls off the tube or a skier or boarder drops, the boat operator should always look to both sides before turning around for a pick-up. • Good to go: For riders after a knock down, clasp your hands over your head so those on the towboat know you are OK and ready for retrieval. In some states a red or orange “skier down” flag may need to be displayed. • Tip up and be seen: A skier who has fallen in the water can be seen by others much more easily if they keep the ski tips above the water. For more information, go to BoatUS.org/onlinecourse and click on State Boating Regulations.

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Are you a water whiz or a leaking faucet?

2. Auburn’s average annual rainfall is: a. 17.36 inches b. 24.68 inches c. 29.05 inches d. 35.91 inches 3. Landscaping accounts for about half the water Californians use at home. What amount do showers and toilets use? a. Showers, 5 percent;

4. A small lawn of about 1,000 square feet needs about 35,000 gallons a year to survive, but the typical homeowner uses about _________ gallons, a sure sign of overwatering. a. 50,000 gallons b. 60,000 gallons c. 75,000 gallons d. 150,000 gallons 5. Central Valley residents use up to 300 gallons per person per day, while some Central Coast residents use as little as _____ gallons per day. a. 25 gallons per day b. 50 gallons per day c. 75 gallons per day d. 100 gallons per day 6. It takes 3.3 acre-feet of water to grow enough food for: a. The Colfax High School football team. b. The Auburn Journal newsroom staff. c. An average family for a year. d. The state Assembly and Senate. 7. A water storage project typically takes ____ to _____ years to design and build. a. 5 years to 10 years b. 10 years to 20 years c. 20 years to 50 years d. A century or more. 8. Groundwater provides about 40 percent of the state’s water supply. In dry years, that percentage can

go as high as ____ percent. a. 50 percent b. 60 percent c. 70 percent d. 80 percent 9. California is prone to both droughts and floods. The most recent prolonged dry spell was a six-year drought from 1987 to 1992. The most severe drought on record occurred in two consecutive years. Which ones? a. 1942-43 b. 1964-65 c. 1976-77 d. 2004-05 10. California’s communities, farms, businesses, and environment rely on water from a variety of sources. Surface water projects, which capture and deliver rain and snow runoff, provide a major portion of the state’s total water supply. The projects include more than _________ federal, state and local reservoirs and conveyance systems. a. 250 b. 500 c. 750 d. 1,000

Project delivers 7 million acre feet of water to the state. Which of the following projects delivers the second-most amount? a. State Water Project b. All-American Canal c. Colorado River Aqueduct d. Los Angeles Aqueduct

catches most of us by surprise. What are some major effects of drought conditions? a. Irrigation water shut off in some areas b. Cost of water increases due to short supply c. Increased groundwater pumping d. All of the above.

13. Drought is something that Californians have become accustomed to over the years, but it still

14. Typical actions taken by water districts in response to drought include:

a. Street runoff, car washing banned. b. Voluntary and mandatory conservation c. Rebates on waterefficient appliances d. All of the above. 15. True or false: Urban Southern California is using less water than it did a few decades ago, even though its population has grown tremendously. a. True b. False

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11. Two of the most important projects are the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project. The CVP and SWP bring water from Northern California through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta for delivery to users in: a. The San Joaquin Valley b. Parts of the San Francisco Bay Area c. Southern California d. All of the above 12. The Central Valley

WHAT’S YOUR WATER IQ?

1. An acre-foot of water is about 326,000 gallons, or enough water to: a. Supply two typical families for a year. b. Fill the swimming pools of a typical Auburn neighborhood. c. Extinguish a 25-acre wildfire. d. Water the Placer High School football field during a normal summer.

toilets, 12 percent b. Showers, 8 percent; toilets, 15 percent c. Showers, 18 percent, toilets, 20 percent d. Showers, 25 percent, toilets, 35 percent

Answers: 1. a; 2. d; 3. c; 4. c; 5. b; 6. c; 7. b; 8. b; 9. c; 10. d; 11. d; 12. a; 13. d; 14. d; 15. a.

According to the Association of California Water Agencies, you might be surprised to know that about 75 percent of the state’s available water occurs north of Sacramento, while about 80 percent of the demand occurs in the southern two-thirds of the state. In addition, most of the rain and snowfall occurs between October and April, while demand is highest during the hot and dry summer months. That might not surprise you, but how much more do you know about the state water situation? Here’s a quick quiz, with answers below:

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Water whiz: 12-15 correct Glass half full: 10-12 correct Glass half-empty: 7-10 correct Leaking faucet: 0-6 correct