The Lake Berryessa News
October 2, 2026
There is No News about the status of the Lake Berryessa Revitalization Program, No News about the Camp Margariteville Resorts plans for the Steele Canyon Recreation Area, No News about the planning status from the present bidder for the Monticello Shores Recreation Area, No News of any bidders for the Berryessa Point Recreation Area.
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Five of the seven "resort" locations are open:
Spanish Flat Campground: https://campspanishflat.com/
Steele Canyon Campground: https://campsteelecanyon.com/
Pleasure Cove Marina: https://goberryessa.com/
Markley Cove Resort: https://markleycove.com/
Putah Canyon Campground: https://royalelkparkmanagement.com/putah-canyon
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"Water"sheds are not "wet" except during rainy season!
Dry watersheds do nothing for wildfire mitigation. A watershed is an area of land that channels rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a common water body such as a stream, river, lake, or ocean. Think of a watershed as a giant natural funnel. High points of elevation like ridges, hills, and mountains form the rim, while streams and rivers form the spout.
Watersheds vary dramatically in size. They can range from a tiny local backyard puddle area to massive multi-state regions like the Mississippi River Watershed. A watershed includes all surface water (lakes, wetlands, streams) and underlying groundwater.
A healthy or restored watershed can actively mitigate wildfire severity, although typically no wildfires occur during a California rainy season. A degraded or burned watershed can severely support or worsen the spread and aftermath of fires during the California dry season. Buying or "protecting" Napa County watersheds as a wildfire mitigation strategy is a waste of money.
Healthy Watersheds Mitigate Wildfires
Increased moisture of intact wetlands, connected floodplains, and high water tables raise soil moisture and support less flammable, green vegetation in valley bottoms and meadows. Natural firebreaks like wet meadows and riverscapes act as natural fuel breaks, helping slow down fire momentum and boosting the effectiveness of artificial containment lines.
Damaged or Altered Watersheds Support Wildfires
Extreme dryness due to over-accumulated fuels, prolonged droughts, and disconnected streams dry out vegetation, turning a landscape into tinder that feeds high-severity wildfires. Severe fires destroy canopy and organic soil cover, creating water-repellent (hydrophobic) soils that drastically increase flash flooding, erosion, and ash runoff into water supplies during subsequent storms.
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Strategy of the Political Boondoggle
The famous quote is, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit," attributed to comedian W.C. Fields.
A political boondoggle is a wasteful and unnecessary government project funded by taxpayers, usually kept alive only because of political motivations or favoritism. Politicians often back these multi-million or billion-dollar projects to look busy, please special interest groups, or secure votes in their home districts, despite the project providing little to no public value.
The word boondoggle didn’t start in politics—it started with the Boy Scouts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boondoggle
"Boondoggle" was the name of the newspaper of the Roosevelt Troop of the Boy Scouts, based in Rochester, New York, and it first appeared in print in 1927. From there it passed into general use in scouting in the 1930s. It was attributed to a boy scout from Rochester who coined the term to describe "a new type of uniform decoration". After the presentation of honorific boondoggles at a World Jamboree, the use of the word spread to other troops and branches.
Critics of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal immediately seized on the word, turning it into a lasting political insult for useless, expensive government make-work.
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Reclamation announces seasonal hours and facility updates at Lake Berryessa
The Bureau of Reclamation adjusted operating hours at Lake Berryessa beginning September 8, as part of its seasonal transition. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead for changes to facility access, boating regulations, and recreation services.
Dufer Point Visitor Center
· Open weekends and holidays, Noon to 3 p.m.
· America the Beautiful Interagency Passes available by appointment on weekdays and during open hours on weekends
Oak Shores Day Use Area
· South End: Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· North End: Closed for the season starting October 1
· Parking fees must be paid and receipts displayed on dashboards
· Group Reservations - Oak Shores offers four large shade shelters at Acorn Beach and Foxtail Flat. Reservations for groups of up to 50 people are available for $25 per shelter, per day at Recreation.gov. For larger gatherings, contact the Park Ranger Office at 707-905-7896.
Smittle Creek and Eticuera Day Use Areas
· Open year-round for wildlife viewing, picnicking, and hand-launch watercraft
· Smittle Creek Trail remains open and accessible from two trailheads:
o Smittle Creek Day Use Area (year-round)
o Coyote Knolls parking lot (summer only)
· Starting September 8, parking lot gates will close at 5 p.m.
Capell Cove Boat Launch
· Closed indefinitely due to staffing.
Boating and Mussel Prevention
· 30-Day Quarantine Requirement:
Beginning November 2024, all trailered vessels must complete a free 30-day quarantine before launching, unless they:
o Already have a Lake Berryessa green seal
o Provide proof of decontamination
o Use non-petroleum-powered or non-trailered vessels
· Learn more at the Solano County Water Agency Mussel Prevention Program and Reclamations website at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/golden-mussels.html
Tip: Boaters should confirm ramp closing times with operators to avoid delays or a second quarantine period.
Concession-Operated Facilities
Alternative recreation opportunities, including boat launching, are available at concession-operated sites:
· Markley Cove Resort: markleycove.com | 707-966-2134
· Pleasure Cove Marina: goberryessa.com | 707-966-9600
· Steele Canyon Recreation Area: campsteelecanyon.com | 707-966-9410
· Spanish Flat Recreation Area: campspanishflat.com | 707-966-0200
· Putah Canyon Recreation Area: royalelkparkmanagement.com | 707-966-9051
For more information about activities, fees, maps, and updates, visit the Lake Berryessa Website, call 707-905-7896, or email BOR-Berryessa@usbr.gov.
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What's happening to Lake Berryessa? Does anyone in D.C. care?
Usually The Lake Berryessa News reports on politics that affects the future of our lake community. But watching the latest shenanigans out of Washington brought up serious concerns about the lake's future, and some childhood memories of going to the circus. I remember the first few times I saw the "Clown Car" which amazed me - but I soon figured it out. It also reminded me that the fate of Lake Berryessa is partly embroiled in this mess.
The clown car routine originated during the 1950s in the Cole Bros. Circus. Circus performer Bob Strehlau, known as Juggles the Clown, is credited with creating the stunt. Strehlau felt that animal acts, particularly horses, were getting more attention than the clowns.
Because automobiles were replacing horses as common transport, he decided to use a tiny car instead of an animal to stage a comedic group entrance. Workers strip out all seats, door panels, headliners, and interior barriers to the trunk. The open interior allows between 14 and 21 performers and their soft props to squeeze inside.
The term "clown car cabinet" became a critical label used by political analysts and media figures to describe Donald Trump’s second-term administration picks, which critics argue prioritize personal loyalty over traditional qualifications and deep experience. Trump skipped the usual lengthy background checks and vetting processes for many nominees.
He chose figures expected to follow orders blindly rather than experts with job suitability. Several picks came from media or non-traditional political backgrounds rather than specialized government agencies. Nominations like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services and Pete Hegseth for Defense drew intense public scrutiny. Public outcry and reports of administration missteps have continued to grow. Several high-profile officials faced swift removals or resignations amid mounting scandals and administrative stress.
The country was warned about something called "Project 2025" long before the last election. Several high-ranking members and cabinet-level officials in Donald Trump’s administration have documented ties, contributions, or authorship roles in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint, despite Trump publicly distancing himself from the plan during his campaign. But he then appointed key cabinet and cabinet-level figures with ties to the radical right organization. You probably recognize some of he people below:
Russell Vought (Office of Management and Budget): Vought served as a co-author and primary architect of Project 2025, writing the chapter focused on expanding executive power over federal agencies.
Brendan Carr (Federal Communications Commission): Carr authored the specific FCC chapter in the Project 2025 policy guide, focusing on big tech and media regulations.
John Ratcliffe (Central Intelligence Agency): Ratcliffe is listed as a contributor to the project's intelligence community section.
Tom Homan (Border Czar): Homan is listed as an overall contributor who aided in the development and writing of the immigration and border enforcement sections.
Peter Navarro (Trade Advisor): Navarro wrote the trade policy chapter outlining increased tariffs within the Project 2025 framework.
Stephen Miller (White House Staff): Miller advised the project on immigration and executive power through his organization, America First Legal.
Doug Burgum (Secretary of the Interior): Cabinet member key to deciding the fate of Lake Berryessa's future, especially Camp Margaritaville's request to have a longer contract term to continue their development at Steele Canyon Campground.
Burgum won the 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election in a landslide. He was reelected by a wide margin in 2020. In June 2023, Burgum launched a campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. He ended his candidacy in early December 2023, and became an advisor on the Trump campaign's energy policy.
As Secretary of the Interior, he oversaw the Trump administration's crackdown on wind power, while promoting coal-fired power, expanded drilling on federal lands, and expanded metals extraction from federal lands and wildlife refuges. In 2026, Burgum announced that U.S. taxpayers would pay multiple energy companies, including a French company, nearly $2.6 billion to stop plans to build wind farms in the United States
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Five Lake Berryessa resorts are open.
Spanish Flat Campground: https://campspanishflat.com/
Steele Canyon Campground: https://campsteelecanyon.com/
Pleasure Cove Marina: https://goberryessa.com/
Markley Cove Resort: https://markleycove.com/
Putah Canyon Campground: https://royalelkparkmanagement.com/putah-canyon
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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