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Higher Water Levels Greet Memorial Day Weekend For First Time In Years

FOLSOM LAKE (CBS13) — It's a sight we haven't seen since the start of the drought and just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Rivers are running high and Folsom Lake is nearly at full capacity. The lake is 31 percent higher than it was at this time last year, and for the first time in a long time, Folsom Lake rangers are working mandatory overtime shifts this weekend.

Dustin Connor owns SOS Marine up the road from the lake and says boats are coming in for repair by the boatload.

"Everybody's had their boats put away for many years so everything's coming out," he said.

The lake hit a record low last winter, but now it's at 95 percent capacity in time for the holiday weekend. Areas that were barren last year are now covered with water.

Park ranger Sgt. Ryan Steele expects Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma to average 100,000 people a day this holiday weekend. With the crowd comes increased patrols.

"We've been increasing the number of employees working here, park maintenance, lifeguards, officers, and also a kiosk workers," he said.

It's also important to remember there is a temporary alcohol ban in effect on Folsom Lake and the American River for the holiday weekend.

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