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- Reclamation Announces Summer/Fall Park Events and Interpretive Programs at Lake Berryessa
News Release Archive
Reclamation Announces Summer/Fall Park Events and Interpretive Programs at Lake Berryessa
Media Contact:
Louis Moore, 916-978-5100, wmoore@usbr.gov
For Release: July 03, 2014
Napa, Calif.- The Bureau of Reclamation’s Central California Area Office announces summer and fall park events and Park Ranger interpretive programs at Lake Berryessa in Napa County, Calif. All activities will be held rain or shine and are free of charge. Participants will need to pay day use or camping fee for walks and programs held in the concession areas. Activity descriptions state if a day use or camping fee is required. Some programs have group-size limitations, so please contact the Park Ranger office or recreation planner regarding availability. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather and bring water and sunscreen for daytime activities. Children are welcome, but those under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Night Walk
Saturday, Aug. 2, 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Steele Canyon Recreation Area campground
Join a Park Ranger for an evening walk and discover “what goes bump in the night.” Learn about the nocturnal critters that call Lake Berryessa home and experience the night time world using all your senses. Day use or camping fees at Steele Canyon Recreation Area apply. For details and directions, please contact Mike McGraw at 707-966-2111 ext. 112 or mmcgraw@usbr.gov.
Snakes Alive! (Campfire Program)
Saturday, Aug. 9, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Putah Canyon Recreation Area campground
Join a Park Ranger and explore the world of rattlesnakes and their kin. Separate fact from fiction and learn the valuable role these amazing animals play in the ecosystem. Following the program will be a marshmallow roast. Day use or camping fees at Putah Canyon Recreation Area apply. For details and directions, please contact Mike McGraw at 707-966-2111 ext. 112 or mmcgraw@usbr.gov.
Evening with a Park Ranger (Campfire Program)
Saturday, Aug. 23, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Spanish Flat Recreation Area campground
Join a Park Ranger around a campfire and learn the story of Lake Berryessa. Discover the human drama behind the scenery from early Native American inhabitants to the residents of Northern California who now depend on Berryessa’s waters. Following the program will be a marshmallow roast. Day use or camping fees at Spanish Flat Recreation Area apply. For details and directions, please contact Mike McGraw at 707-966-2111 ext. 112 or mmcgraw@usbr.gov.
C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, Kids Fishing Event
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pleasure Cove Marina
Reclamation, in partnership with Pleasure Cove Marina, is hosting the Fifth Annual C.A.S.T. (Catch a Special Thrill) for Kids Fishing Event. The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation provides children with disabilities or disadvantages an opportunity to experience the sport of fishing. Kids will be partnered with anglers for a morning on beautiful Lake Berryessa. Reclamation is looking for boaters, volunteers and children to participate in this great event. To volunteer or register a child, please contact Jason Jordan at 707-966-2111 ext 143 or jgjordan@usbr.gov.
Nocturnal Happenings (Evening Program and Walk)
Friday, Sept. 19, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Putah Canyon Recreation Area
Join a Park Ranger for an evening talk and walk to discover which animals call Lake Berryessa home. Learn about the special adaptations needed to survive in this rugged landscape. Day use or camping fees at Putah Canyon Recreation Area apply. For details, directions and to RSVP, please contact Victoria Payan at 707-966-2111 ext. 113 or vpayan@usbr.gov.
California Coastal Cleanup Day
Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pope Creek Bridge Parking Lot & Markley Cove Area
Join Reclamation, the Solano Resource Conservation District and partners for this annual lake and shoreline clean up event. Volunteers will clean up the shoreline of Lake Berryessa as part of the State-wide event. Since the program began in 1985, over 800,000 Californians have removed more than 15 million pounds of debris from California’s shorelines and coast. To volunteer, please contact Jason Jordan at 707-966-2111 ext 143 or jgjordan@usbr.gov.
Nature Hike – Fall Foray
Saturday, Oct. 18 and Saturday Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meet at the Smittle Creek Day Use Parking Lot
Join a Park Ranger for a leisurely hike on the Smittle Creek Trail along the western shoreline of the lake. Enjoy an autumn day exploring California’s unique Blue Oak woodland and the tranquility of Lake Berryessa. Meet at the south end of the Smittle Creek Day Use Area parking lot, off of Knoxville-Berryessa Road. Vehicles can be shuttled to the trail end point at Coyote Knolls within the Oak Shores Day Use Area. Hikers can stay with the Park Ranger for the entire 2.6 mile, 3-hour hike or leave early if they choose. Bring a lunch to enjoy on the hike. For details and directions, please contact Mike McGraw at 707-966-2111 ext. 112 or mmcgraw@usbr.gov.
National Public Lands Day
Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Eticuera Day Use Area
Help restore Lake Berryessa’s native landscape at this restoration event. Volunteers will plant native plants and trees as part of an ongoing restoration effort. To volunteer, please contact Jason Jordan at 707-966-2111 ext. 143 or jgjordan@usbr.gov.
Lake Berryessa Water Education Program
Available by Appointment
Oak Shores Day Use Area
The Lake Berryessa Water Education Program is an interdisciplinary learning experience for students in grades
4-6. The program integrates the natural resources of Lake Berryessa with California State curriculum standards. Classes join a Park Ranger at the lake to learn about the importance of water in their lives. In addition to the onsite learning experience, a teacher packet is available with logistical information and pre- and post-site activities. Berryessa Park Rangers may be available to conduct pre-site classroom visits. For more details on this free program, please contact Mike McGraw at 707-966-2111, ext. 112 or mmcgraw@usbr.gov.
Paddle With A Park Ranger
See locations and times below.
Experience Lake Berryessa from a unique perspective during these Ranger-led paddling tours. Paddling outings are open to experienced swimmers with a kayak, canoe or other non-motorized boat. Coast Guard-approved life jackets will be available, but boats are not available for rent. Participants should bring their boat, life jacket, paddle, sunscreen, hat, water, clothing layers depending on the weather, and a lunch/snack. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. Changes to locations and times may occur because of fluctuating water levels. Events occur rain or shine, but high winds could cause an event to be cancelled. For details, directions and to RSVP, please contact Victoria Payan at 707-966-2111 ext. 113 or vpayan@usbr.gov.
Oak Shores Exploration – Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Meet at Foxtail Flat in Oak Shores. Trailers are not permitted inside the park. Be prepared for a strenuous walk to the shoreline.
Capell Cove Cruise – Sunday, Aug. 17, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Meet at the Capell Cove Public Boat Launch.
Oak Shores Exploration – Sunday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meet at Foxtail Flat in Oak Shores. Trailers are not permitted inside the park. Be prepared for a strenuous walk to the shoreline.
Capell Cove Cruise – Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meet at the Capell Cove Public Boat Launch.
Special Event – Kayaks ‘n Camping – Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20
Join the Lake Berryessa Park Rangers for a special camping weekend at Putah Canyon Recreation Area. Enjoy the Nocturnal Happenings evening program and walk on Friday night, an opportunity to participate in the annual California Coastal Cleanup on Saturday morning, and a paddling outing on Saturday afternoon based out of Putah Canyon Recreation Area. Day use or camping fees at Putah Canyon Recreation Area apply.
Interpretive programs and events at Lake Berryessa tie into President Barack Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative (http://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/) which seeks to empower Americans to share in the responsibility to conserve, restore and provide better access to our lands and waters and leave a healthy and vibrant outdoor legacy for generations to come. Park Ranger-led hikes and activities also support the Department of the Interior’s Let’s Move Outside initiative (http://www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside) which encourages children and their families to enjoy outdoor activities that abound in every city, town and community. And where better for the public to appreciate and enjoy the great outdoors than at a Reclamation facility like Lake Berryessa?
If you would like to participate in a program and need accommodation, please contact the Lake Berryessa Park Ranger Office at 707-966-2111 ext. 113 at least 14 days in advance.
Please visit the Lake Berryessa website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/index.html for additional information.
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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.
