Coronavirus: Modesto Reservoir opens for watercraft use only — others turned away
Dozens of people were turned away from Modesto Reservoir on Saturday not because of capacity but because of an apparent misunderstanding of the rules.
Under restrictions because of the coronavirus outbreak, the reservoir opened Saturday for watercraft day use only. For safety and because no boats may be anchored at or near shore, the county said on Facebook, a maximum of 50 motorized vessels will be allowed inside the gates at one time.
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Tom Letras said in a video on Facebook on Saturday evening that he’d spoken with a colleague at the reservoir who said about 15 vessels were on the water that day.
But about 50 people were turned away because they came out for day use on land, which will not be allowed until June 6. “So, in the past,” Letras says in the video, “you could go out there to Modesto reservoir. You could go in through the front gates, you could pay, you could spend the day out there and go home. You could walk along the shoreline and you could fish. That we are no longer doing.”
In addition to those who turned out for day use, which includes picnicking, swimming, fishing from shore, hiking and biking, several people were turned away because they didn’t have boater cards, Letras said. “So you need to be sure that you have valid registration and you have a boater card before you go out there.”
He also reminded viewers that reservoir use at this time is restricted to Stanislaus County residents. Visitors must provide proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or current utility bill. “We don’t want anybody showing up there and wasting their time.”
The good news, Letras says in the video, is there was little to no wait time to get on the water Saturday.
Among other rules posted on Modesto Reservoir’s Facebook page is that there are no in-and-out privileges, people may be on shore only to use a restroom, and the only “swimming” allowed is by water skiers and wakeboarders who have fallen.
When day use and camping are permitted at the reservoir starting June 6, visitors still will have to provide proof of residency. Staff and sheriff’s deputies will patrol in the mornings and ask visitors without receipts for proof of residency. Nonresidents will be instructed to leave and will not receive refunds, a Facebook post says.
A maximum of two vehicles and eight people per campsite will be permitted, and campers must be immediate family members.
Woodward Reservoir is scheduled to open for watercraft use, day use and camping beginning June 6. A maximum of 75 motorized vessels will be allowed on the water, with no limit on kayaks, canoes and nonmotorized fishing boats.
To learn more, check the Stanislaus County Parks & Recreation page on Facebook or call the department at 209-525-6750.
This story was originally published May 17, 2020 at 11:00 AM.
