Sometimes it stretches credibility when the mountains give up their accumulated debris and send it down California rivers. Our first retirement home was in Redding, very near Shasta Lake. The debris flowing into the lake from the Pitt River, Sacramento River, and McCloud River is, at times, overpowering. That's when knowledgeable boaters just stay off the lake. California has wonderful weather, most of the time. When Mother Nature takes over, it's wise to beware and be safe.