by Captain Dewitt Rumsey in 1872. Rumsey was intent on being able to measure the lake’s level at any one time. Why? I have my suspicions, yet it’s hard to determine as there isn’t a lot to be found on the subject.
OK THEN, WHO WAS CAPTAIN RUMSEY?
The answer - this gentleman was quite an individual. In short, he was an explorer, a pioneer, and a trail boss “Captain” for the most part.
Originally from Piqua, Ohio, Rumsey was born in 1831. He lived in and around Lake County until his passing in 1911 and while the Rumsey Gauge is his most significant contribution to the Lake in general, Rumsey was a pioneer in the region who purchased and grew interests throughout Yolo and Lake Counties during the late 1800’s. One can find his name throughout the region, including the town named in his honor, which is located along Highway 16, as well as the bay north of Lakeport where he also had substantial holdings.
So, we now know who Captain Rumsey was; let’s now look at what he developed.
Today, most lake levels around the country are measured relative to altitude above or below sea level. Clear Lake however, is unique in that it is measured by the gauge which was developed by Captain Rumsey way back in 1872.
ZERO RUMSEY
In 1872, Captain Dewitt C. Rumsey decided he wanted to develop a method of determining the lake level of Clear Lake at any one time. Clear Lake was a naturally controlled lake at that time, with water running into the lake through unobstructed creeks located around the lake, with any over flow water running out of the lake through Cache Creek in the Southeast corner of the lake. That water flowed over a rock ledge in the creek known as Grisby’s Riffle. This riffle is located at the confluence of Siegler and Cache Creeks, approximately a mile below the Indian Island outlet. Needing a starting point for his gauge, Rumsey decided that the point when the water stopped
flowing over Grigsby’s Riffle would be his “zero” mark, or zero Rumsey.
Now remember, “Zero Rumsey” doesn’t mean “low point” nor “high point”. Basically, “Zero Rumsey” in this case means starting point. Where the lake level goes from zero relative to water level, is measured therefore as plus or minus Rumsey. Should the lake rise 3 feet above Grigsby’s Riffle, it is measured as 3.0 Rumsey. Likewise, should the lake drop 3 feet below Grigsby’s Riffle, it’s measured as -3.0 Rumsey.
Ok, pretty simple right?
Well, let me throw another curve at you. The gauge measuring the lake is actually located in Lakeport.
Huh?
Simple, the gauge level is measured in Lakeport, but is relative to the water depth above the riffle, not the water depth in Lakeport. The gauge can still be seen on the Vector Control dock, but today is monitored electronically by the USGS. Thus, when you are at the Vector Control dock you can see both the gauge itself, as well as the USGS monitoring equipment.
RECORD MEASUREMENTS
Historically, Clear Lake’s water levels range on average from approximately 1.5 Rumsey to 6.7 Rumsey. This past year the lake fell to nearly
-1.0 Rumsey, not even close to the
Rumsey gauge
SPRING 2015
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