Lake Berryessa News
(5/4/26)
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Lake Berryessa Statistics 5/4/26
Lake Berryessa water level has remained relatively constant during the last 8 days - dropping only an inch. It now stands at 438.82 feet - 1.18 feet below Glory Hole.
4/25/26 438.90
4/26/26 438.88
4/27/28 438.87
4/28/26 438.87
4/29/26 438.85
4/30/26 438.84
5/1/26 438.83
5/2/26 438.82
Rainfall at Monticello Dam rose to 24.12 inches. The official rain year ends on June 30, 2026.
The lake output is at an average of 230 cfs (456 A-F per day). The highest output during the summer averages about 700 cfs (1,387 A-F per day).
The runoff at the Geunoc measuring site is down to 71 cfs. The Solano County Water Agency doubles that to 142 cfs as an estimate of the total flow into the lake from the whole watershed. That total estimated amount of input is now only about 62% of the present outflow from the dam
When full (Glory Hole level) the lake contains 1,551,292 Acre-Feet of water.
Lake capacity is now at 1,529,083 Acre-Feet or 98.6%.
Water temperatures have risen slightly to an average of 70 degrees at the surface.
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See some beautiful photos of Canyon Creek Resort and the area near the dam:
https://www.canyoncreekresort.com/gallery/
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No News is Good News?... or Some News is No News?
The Lake Berryessa Revitalization Program crawls on like a melting glacier. Old redevelopment proposals slowly evaporate and disappear. New ones slide down the mountain to take their place. The Camp Margaritaville Plan for Steele Canyon Recreation Area has encountered a few big boulders restraining its progress. The plan has been in limbo for many months as the principal investors are awaiting a Department of the Interior modification to the lease term from 30 years to 50 years. The longer lease is needed to support their financial investment goals. You don't spend $20 million up front and many more millions during the first ten years without some long-term guarantees.
The latest news from the Napa Register states that "A new county report said the developer needs a "much longer" lease to obtain financing for the project, and cannot proceed without one. He has been discussing this with the bureau and "little definitive progress has been made to date." The rest of the story contains minimal real information, but does misname Camp Margaritaville Resorts as Margaritaville. Camp Margaritaville is a separate franchise catering to luxury RV camping, and is not a trditional Margaritaville Resort - although the resort may be located close to a traditional Margaritaville Resort site. At present, Camp Margritaville Resorts has six locations with several more planned. The Steele Canyon Recreation Area may possibly become one of them some day.........
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In the "Some news is no news?" category, the Napa Valley Land Co. LLC could create El Campo del Sol at Monticello Shores (previousl Rancho Monticello) with 50 to 100 cabins, up to 150 safari tents and yurts, a lodge, a rope course and zip line, a restaurant, an amphitheater and a marina. The county and the potential developer are "in negotiations". The county update report said an advisory firm is doing "a deep dive" on diligence items, including scope, infrastructure and architectural designs. This same language has been used for several previous resort bids which finally quietly disappeared.
A new proposal would redevelop the former Spanish Flat Resort into "Wildhaven Napa, a year-round premier glamping destination and flagship Wildhaven resort". The plan is simple but nice. I wonder why they put the "I – Lodge w/ reception, store, F&B, event space, office" at the end of the peninsula so far from the entrance. The "K – Summit pergola & lake viewpoint" should have a great view of the lake. Rebuilding the roads, all of which had been bulldozed to the dirt by the Bureau of Reclamation in a hardball financial move to bully the original concession owners to give up their concession, will require a major investment. As they say in this business, "I'll see it when I believe it."
Wildhaven Napa
California Camping Company, LLC
113 Tamal Vista Drive
San Rafael CA 94901
The CCC unofficially started when the two founders began organizing camping trips for their friends, co-workers, social groups, and college alumni back in the early 2000s. After running hundreds of trips over 15 years in the mountains of New England and Colorado, they moved to California to bring their model of camping to a state famous for its adventure. They tested the California waters by creating a hiking and camping group through Meetup, and were surprised with the response from Bay Area residents. Their group attracted 1,000 hiking and camping enthusiasts in just 7 months, and they started the California Camping Company to give the people what they wanted.
Proposal
https://napa.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=5616b0c6-4f02-40b6-a643-8a542253a40b.pdf
Wildhaven Napa’s proposed size and operations are comparable to both previous operations and Sun’s proposal, and our glamping accommodations are exactly what modern travelers are seeking. Large, comfortable accommodations that immerse guests in nature with seamless indoor/outdoor spaces, large picture windows with lake views, and private decks/patios furnished with fire ring, furniture & hammocks.
60 glamping tents, including a mix of ”Premium” tents with en suite bathrooms and “Classic” tents with shared bathrooms. 40 cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms & kitchenettes. Central lodge, Day Use Area, Marina with 75 boat slips, boat rentals, launch ramp, trailer parking and potentially boat gas.
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May Horoscopes
Aries (3/21-4/19): Endless complaints that your talents are being wasted at work will finally pay off when management decides to promote you to the new position of "Head Whiner."
Taurus (4/20-5/20): Continuing a proud, age-old tradition, you will hand down your family's priceless heirlooms to the next generation of Chinatown pawnbrokers this week.
Gemini (5/21-6/21): You're prepared to go to any length to get your wife back, which is funny, as finding what remains of her will actually require you to go to any depth.
Cancer (6/22-7/22): Can you be held responsible for everything you *don't* do? Who knows.
Leo (7/23-8/22): Cartoon fun can be yours if you pick up the right set of pencils and think really hard about drawing.
Virgo (8/23-9/22): Armchair politicians will affect your life today as they rise from their dank pits and begin to conquer the known world.
Libra (9/23-10/22): Pants, socks, t-shirts, sweaters. These are all parts of your wardrobe. Remember this.
Scorpio (10/23-11/21): The computer you are trying to access has forbidden you entry as it deems your horoscope too scary.
Sagittarius (11/22-12/21): Flapping your arms like a bird is a good way to call attention to yourself.
Capricorn (12/22-1/19): Buying a T-Shirt proclaiming that your bald patch makes you a solar powered sex machine is a good idea.
Aquarius (1/20-2/18): Don’t panic—if you can find a baby that looks just like yours, your wife might not notice.
Pisces (2/19-3/20): While you aren’t descended from Egyptian royalty, you will soon have the honor of dying in one of their tombs.
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Paul Franson's weekly Napa Valley Life is jam-packed with interesting information about Napa Valley events and out-and abouts. His links to the ubiquitous food truck culture makes my mouth water.
Find the web version at www.napalife.org/7556.html.
Where is what food truck?
It’s very challenging to keep track of the many food trucks in our community, and it’s not just because they have wheels. They change their offerings, disappear for private events and move to different locations. It’s so challenging that I’m happy to see a new website that tracks them.
See www.napafoodtrucks.com.
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The following report appears unique to Lake Oroville based on water temperatures in that lake. Water temperatures in Lake Berryessa are at 70degrees now and reach 80+ degrees for much of the summer. The Lake Berryessa News has asked the Solano County Water Agency for their analysis.
DWR Modifies its Invasive Mussel Inspection Program at Lake Oroville (April 29, 2026)
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is modifying its inspection program for invasive mussels at Lake Oroville, the Thermalito Forebay, and the Thermalito Afterbay. Effective today, April 29, watercraft inspections, decontamination services, and seal checking at the Oroville facilities are no longer required. Blue Oroville seals are no longer required to launch watercraft, and owners have permission to remove seals themselves, as inspectors will no longer be stationed at launch ramps. DWR will also reopen facilities that were closed to trailered launching including those at the Thermalito Forebay and Thermalito Afterbay. At locations requiring the removal of physical barriers, additional time will be required for crews to fully reopen facilities. Launching access at Lake Oroville will once again be available 24 hours a day, every day.
The decision to implement an invasive mussel boat inspection program at DWRʼs Oroville facilities in May 2025 was based on available information about how best to protect DWR infrastructure from golden mussel establishment. While DWR does not control many of the lakes and reservoirs upstream of Lake Oroville, it quickly established a program to reduce the potential risk of invasive mussel introduction through recreational boating. Additional analyses of golden mussel biology and habitat requirements, as well as an assessment of DWRʼs Oroville infrastructure, have shown a lower risk of golden mussel establishment than was originally anticipated.
During the last year, DWR performed a vulnerability review of Lake Oroville, the Upper Feather River Lakes, the Feather River Fish Hatchery, and Oroville-Thermalito Complex infrastructure to golden mussel colonization. The seasonal water temperature conditions at Lake Oroville and the Upper Feather River Lakes were evaluated based on a 2017 study in which researchers assessed the conditions golden mussels need to survive and reproduce.
For golden mussel maturation and reproduction to occur, water temperatures greater than 61.7°F for about 150 days are necessary for successful spawning and the formation of veligers, the larval stage of mussels. For veligers to complete their development and settle into a hard-shell mussel, water temperatures must be nearly 70°F for approximately 70 days.
Temperature thresholds for golden mussel maturation exist within the top 60 feet of Lake Oroville, meaning that sustained mussel populations would be confined to specific areas of the reservoir, such as floating infrastructure, and boats that remain on the water for lengthy periods. Mussels could survive in shallow shoreline locations until lake levels drop, at which point they would dry out and die. Extended cold water temperatures in the Upper Feather River lakes, the depth of Lake Oroville, and the continuous cold water releases from Oroville Dam to support salmon habitat are limiting factors for golden mussel spawning and larval development. Any veligers that are transported through the dam at lower lake elevation temperatures would be unlikely to survive, would have a difficult time growing, and would not have a significant impact on the Feather River Fish Hatchery and Oroville-Thermalito Complex powerplants.
Given this analysis of potential impacts to State Water Project infrastructure, DWR is no longer requiring watercraft inspections at Oroville. Ongoing water testing and visual inspections of infrastructure for invasive mussels will continue. Golden mussels have not been detected at DWRʼs Oroville facilities or the Upper Feather River lakes. Program changes are being coordinated with local recreation partners at the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
DWR continues to partner with federal, State, and local agencies to mitigate golden mussel colonization throughout California’s water systems. This includes coordinating with partners on a statewide reporting system for watercraft, continued public education campaigns about golden mussels and how they spread, ongoing studies about effective treatment options, and implementing a variety of mitigation and maintenance actions to maintain State Water Project operations that are currently affected by the presence of golden mussels. More details about DWRʼs invasive mussel inspection program are available at water.ca.gov/mussels.
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May Headlines
Mom, Dad Disagree About How Dad Likes Eggs
Supreme Court Rules 6-3 That the South Won the Civil War
Whitehouse Press Corps Demands Hazard Pay For Constant Exposure To Toxic Stupidity
Trump Supporters Confused By The King Of England’s Use Of Complete Sentences And Proper Grammar
Slumber-Party Confession Comes Back To Haunt Fourth Grader
Supreme Court Collectively Forgets Last Night’s Homework Was To Read The Constitution
Racehorse Receives Carrot Every Time He Wins $2 Million For Owner
Table Tennis Champion Too Weak To Hoist Trophy Over Head
DOJ To Bring Back Firing Squad As Means Of Entertainment
Chick-Fil-A Announces Two Halves Of Buns Must Be Married Before Becoming Sandwich
Office NCAA Bracket Marks Yearly Interaction With Coworkers
Unemployed Man Considers Going Back To School To Become AI
Pete Hegseth Questions What Girls Were Doing In School To Begin With
King Charles Alienates Republicans With Offensive Use of Complete & Coherent Sentences
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Glory Hole Watch 2026 has slowed. For historical perspective, watch Evan Kilkus' Lake Berryessa News drone videos of the dramatic rise of Lake Berryessa as it finally spilled over Glory Hole on 2/16/17 after an 11-year drought at:
https://youtu.be/bGJvofIyTwQ
1/11/17: 10"+ of Rain Takes Its Toll, But Lake Berryessa is Rising
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https://youtu.be/PRWAfVw9DBU
2/10/17: Lake Berryessa Is Almost Full
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https://youtu.be/8pIPsgLFggk
2/12/17: Lake Berryessa Splashes Over Glory Hole -With a Little Help
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https://youtu.be/EH0LQW7iduY
2/12/17: Breathtakingly Beautiful Drone Tour of Lake Berryessa
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https://youtu.be/cB0BKIm1EzM
2/16/17: Lake Berryessa Is Full &Splashing Over the Spillway
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https://youtu.be/uQp0QConILY
2/18/17: Lake Berryessa Is Spilling 1 Foot Over Glory Hole
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Original ACDC version of:
2/18/17: Lake Berryessa Is Spilling 1 Foot Over Glory Hole
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https://youtu.be/-iHAjOrrU4k
2/21/17: Lake Berryessa is 3.5' OVER the Glory Hole Spillway
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https://youtu.be/qhPzR2Gqzs0
2/24/17: Another Breathtaking Drone Tour of a Full Lake Berryessa
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Track the real-time Lake Berryessa weather at:
Skiers Cove (Below the Berryessa Highlands)
Skier Cove - KCANAPA228
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA228
East Side Road (Across from Big Island)
East Side Road, Lake Berryessa - KCALAKEB2
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCALAKEB2
Spanish Flat (Near the Spanish Flat Recreation Area)
Roger - KCASPANI1
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCASPANI1
Berryessa Pines
KCANAPA461
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA461
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Lake Berryessa Fire Watch Cameras
This site covers the whole Lake Berryessa Region.
http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
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Free Book Chapters Available For Download
My sincere thanks to those of you who contributed to the future of the Lake Berryessa News. I challenge you to find any Lake Berryessa news anywhere. Hopefully, the many years of our intensive reporting about the latest Lake Berryessa issues will convince you of the truth of our motto, "Without The Lake Berryessa News there would be no Lake Berryessa news".
Here's a gift from The Lake Berryessa News to my readers - Free downloadable chapters from my books:
The Death of a Valley
Why Does Lake Berryessa Exist?
The Lake Berryessa Watershed
Rainfall and Lake Level History
How High Is Lake Berryessa?
How Deep is Lake Berryessa?
How Much Water Does Lake Berryessa Hold?
Mean Sea Level: Is There Such A Thing As Accurate Height?
Water In, Water Out, But From Where?
Does the WALROS Like Lake Berryessa?
Why is Lake Berryessa Not a Part of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?
East Side Story
Hiking and Wildlife Viewing
Are There Quail on Quail Ridge?
Why Does A Hiker Cross The Road? To Get To Stebbins Cold Canyon!
Private Houseboats - Yes; Private RVs & Trailers - No: Why?
Motorized Boats Banned From Big Island Lagoon! Why!
Archeologists Can't Dunk But Can Dig
What Can't You Do At Lake Berryessa?
Napa Opposes Building the Monticello Dam
Monticello Dam Construction
Raise Monticello Dam
Power Generation at Monticello Dam
Monticello Dam Failure Analysis
Predicting the Future & Glory Hole Drone Videos
As Lake Berryessa Turns!
The Ins and Outs & Ups and Downs of Lake Berryessa
Does Lake Berryessa Sweat in the Summer?
Glory Hole Introduction
How Does Glory Hole Work?
Glory Hole: Awesome, Frightening, But Dangerous?
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Lake Berryessa Political History (Free Downloads of Book Chapters)
Policy And Politics Betray The People: The Lake Berryessa Saga: 1958 - 2020, By Peter Kilkus
I. The Five Tragedies Of The Berryessa Valley: A History Of Heartbreak
II. Lake Berryessa Political History Timeline
III. The “Big Lie”: How It All Began
IV. The “Big Fail”: Napa Abandons Lake Berryessa (1975)
V. The “Big Picture”: Lake Berryessa Issues: 1957 - 2012
VI. The “Big Illusion”: Notice Of Intent
VII. The “Big Fight”: Facts Do Matter
VIII. The “Big Betrayal”: Perversion Of Public Law 96-375
IX. The “Big Mistake”: Pensus - The Beginning Was The End!
X. The “Big Hole In History”: Post-Pensus Blues
XI. The “Big Boondoggle”: Creation Of A Phony National Monument
Addendum 1. Dueling Napa Register Letters To The Editor
Addendum 2. The Napa Register View
Index Of Primary Documents
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Lake Berryessa Technical Manual: The Science, Engineering, History, and Humor of a Major Unnatural Resource
https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Berryessa-Technical-Manual-Engineering-ebook/dp/B0C21DZ9M9/ref=sr_1_3?
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Policy and Politics Betray the People: The Lake Berryessa Saga: 1958 - 2020
https://www.amazon.com/Policy-Politics-Betray-People-Berryessa-ebook/dp/B08MFSQDBR/ref=sr_1_1?
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Conspiracy Theory or Automatic Pilot: The Economic Roots of Environmental Destruction
https://www.amazon.com/Conspiracy-Theory-Automatic-Pilot-Environmental/dp/1676368302/ref=sr_1_3?
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The KPIX Eye on the Bay interview below is one I did in 2010 and a relevant introduction to the substance of the book. I did it after Pensus had been given the contract for 5 resorts. As we all know Pensus was subsequently kicked out in 2012.
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Lake Berryessa Data Sources
There are many sources of Lake Berryessa water and weather conditions available. The Solano County Water Agency site is good for real-time graphs of level, capacity, and water temperature. The California Data Exchange Center has data going back decades for level, capacity, capacity change, dam outflow, dam inflow, and rainfall. Anyone can research their own data and create custom charts. This is the source of many of the charts on the Lake Berryessa News website.
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An upgraded wildfire alert camera system will be keeping watch on Napa County day and night and notifying Cal Fire crews of potential fires. Twenty cameras will be part of a system that will use artificial intelligence and other technologies to identify fire and smoke. If they detect something, an alert will sound in the Cal Fire emergency command center near St. Helena.
Cal Fire has made a large investment into the ALERTCalifornia system, partnering with UC San Diego. There are 1,000 cameras across the state and Napa County is one of the test models. Cameras can see 60 miles during the day, and this can increase to 120 miles on clear nights, with the changes in the air. The system can differentiate among smoke, clouds and dust. A link to this camera system and other relevant weather data is available on the Lake Berryessa News website at: http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
This website was created by Doug Kunst. It is an amazing resource for Lake Berryessa fire cameras and weather. His business website is http://www.rntl.net/
Lake Berryessa Fire Alert Cameras
http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
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Real-Time Lake Level, Lake Capacity, Water Temperature
Solano County Water Agency
https://www.scwamonitoring.com/LakeBerryessa/
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Lake Detailed Historical Data
California Data Exchange Center
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/
Research historical data and create custom plots
Lake Berryessa Code: BER
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/sensorplots?staid=ber&dur_code=D
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Local Weather Stations (Weather Underground Network)
Skiers Cove (Below the Berryessa Highlands)
Skier Cove - KCANAPA228
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA228
East Side Road (Across from Big Island)
East Side Road, Lake Berryessa - KCALAKEB2
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCALAKEB2
Spanish Flat (Near the Spanish Flat Recreation Area)
Roger - KCASPANI1
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCASPANI1