News Release Archive

Public Recreation Facilities Open at Lake Berryessa for the 2011 Recreation Season

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov
Peggi Brooks, 916-989-7128 (TTY 916-989-7285), pbrooks@usbr.gov

For Release: February 15, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation is pleased to announce that public recreational opportunities at Lake Berryessa in Napa County, Calif., will continue to expand for the upcoming 2011 recreation season.

"2011 represents an important milestone in Reclamation's efforts to ensure access by all members of the visiting public to this beautiful lake," stated Mike Finnegan, Area Manager, Central California Area Office (CCAO). "Some cleanup of former concession contract facilities remains, and construction of new permanent recreation facilities is expected to begin later this year. In the meantime, we're very excited that the range of recreation opportunities will increase significantly this summer."

 In summary, the following Reclamation- and concession-managed recreation areas are open for business:

• All Reclamation-managed facilities continue to be open, including free access to the Oak Shores, Smittle Creek and Eticuera Day Use Areas and free use of the Capell Cove Boat Launch. Oak Shores Day Use Area is fully restored to day use this year with no overnight camping. Dispersed recreation areas along the northwest and northeast shores and turnouts along the southern tip of the lake are also available. For information, please call 707-966-2111 or visit CCAO's Lake Berryessa websitel.
   
• Five concession areas managed by Pensus LBP's (Pensus) will be open as shown below. For information, please call 707-966-9088 or visit http://www.pensusresorts.com/.
   
• Chaparral Cove (formerly Putah Creek) and Lupine Shores (formerly Steele Park) recreation areas are currently open for day use, boat launching, and RV and tent camping.
   
• Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Foothill Pines (formerly Spanish Flat) will be open for day use and RV and tent camping; Blue Oaks (formerly Berryessa Marina) and Manzanita Canyon (formerly Rancho Monticello) will be open for group camping on a reservation basis.
   
• Boat storage will be available at Chaparral Cove and Lupine Shores beginning in March and potentially at Manzanita Canyon beginning Memorial Day weekend. Pending planned new construction, all Pensus sites will be served this summer by restroom trailers with running water and an RV pump out service.
    
• Forever Resort LLC's (Forever Resorts) Pleasure Cove Marina will continue to provide day use, camping, boat launching, boat rentals, house boating and lodging. Pleasure Cove has a full-service marina with wet slips, fueling and pump-out services. For information, please call 707-966-9600 or visit http://www.goberryessa.com/.
   
• Markley Cove Resort, managed by John and Linda Frazier, will continue to provide full marina services, boat launching, boat rentals, day use and lodging. For information, please call 707-966-2134.
   
• The Lake Berryessa Wildlife Area, on the lake's east side, continues to be open. This jointly managed 2,000-acre wildlife area provides great bird and wildlife viewing. For information, please visit the Calif. Department of Fish and Game's website..

On February 10, 2011, Reclamation provided final approval of Pensus' long-term development plans. Pensus has subsequently initiated required environmental analysis of their approved long-term plans in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other statutes and regulations. Pensus will also begin preparation of engineering drawings and specifications associated with planned new facilities for approval by Reclamation in coordination with Napa County and other permitting agencies. Following environmental analysis and final design approval, expected by late 2011, Pensus will begin construction of new permanent facilities.

In addition, the Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District (District) is cooperating with Reclamation in developing the Camp Berryessa area as an environmental education center. The District will be completing the design through a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy. Environmental analysis is currently underway, with construction expected to begin in late 2011.

Further, Berryessa Trails and Conservation (BTC) has been working with Reclamation to plan and construct trails around the lake. Reclamation is now completing the environmental analysis for the North End and Oak Shores Trails. Once environmental review is complete, Reclamation and BTC will begin working towards the development of these trails. To find out more information about the BTC projects, please visit their website at http://www.berryessatrails.org/. 

For additional information, please contact Peggi Brooks, CCAO, Chief, Recreation Resources Division, at 916-989-7128 (TTY 916-989-7285) or pbrooks@usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Recreation.Gov link