People wishing to assist the California Department of Fish and Game in a fish rescue operation Aug. 26 at Caples Lake, off Highway 88 in Alpine County, have until midnight tonight, Aug. 19, to volunteer for the project.
The rescue is part of a comprehensive rescue and restocking program that Fish and Game and the El Dorado Irrigation District have developed to deal with the effects of a drawdown of the lake to repair outlet works in the main dam.
The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and Trout Unlimited are organizing volunteer support for the rescue. Volunteers must complete the online application at http://www.calsport.org/caplesapp.htm, according to an El Dorado Irrigation District news release. Anyone who has difficulty completing the online form may submit the requested information via e-mail to gneuburger@yahoo.com. As of Monday, about 40 people had volunteered, according to the release.
The Department of Fish and Game has asked the district to fund the rescue effort and provide logistical support. The district board will consider approving funding for the rescue and a restocking program at its meeting Monday, Aug. 25
The district began releasing water from the lake in late July so that crews can make begin repairs in mid-September. District officials hope to salvage about 3,600 acre-feet of water by diverting a portion of the Caples Lake releases into Sly Park's Jenkinson Lake through the Hazel Creek Tunnel.
The district's annual water deliveries to customers total about 41,000 acre-feet.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 608-7451.
