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Folsom Boaters Facing Shortened Season Due To Drought

FOLSOM LAKE (CBS13) - The current drought has water levels at their lowest level in years.

Doug Beardslee rents a slip at the Folsom Lake Marina for easy access to the cool water on a warm day like today.

"I like the consistency. The water is always good, the temperature is great for swimming," said Beardslee.

But summer is going to end early for Doug and 670 other boat owners on the lake. The lowest water level the lake has seen in five years means all boats at the marina must be out of the water by August. They usually stay until October or later.

A record dry year for rain is to blame.

"Well we definitely lose a lot of business," said marina manager Ken Christensen.

Christensen says fewer boats means less in gas, snack and equipment sales.

By the end of august this marina will be sitting on dry land.

Boater Mark Edleman says he'll lose out too. He pays for the whole year upfront for his slip, but will have to pull his boat out two months early, missing out on the dog days of summer.

"Oh, it'd be real nice to be on the water in the hot weather," said Edleman.

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