Fire-Ravaged Lake Berryessa Closed Labor Day Weekend

NAPA COUNTY, CA — The Napa County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reminded the public this week that Lake Berryessa is closed Labor Day Weekend.

"This includes all day use areas, boat launching, and concession operated sites," the Napa County Sheriff's Office said.

The area sustained extensive damage in the LNU Lightning Complex fires and will not reopen until it is safe, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said.

The lake is typically bustling with activity on holiday weekends such as Labor Day, but all reservations at Markley Cove, Pleasure Cove, Steele Canyon, Spanish Flat and Putah Canyon Resorts have been canceled.

Vehicle access is limited due to road closures and evacuation orders by Cal Fire, and communication services and utilities are extremely limited for the time being.

"Avoiding the area during closure allows hundreds of workers to do their jobs (remove trees, clear roads, install utility poles and lines etc.) in a safe and timely manner," the Napa County Sheriff's Office said.

"Please respect the closure order. Do not attempt to visit Lake Berryessa this weekend. We want to thank everyone for their patience and complying with the closure order."

The Bureau of Reclamation expects its Lake Berryessa facilities to remain closed until further notice due to fire damage. This includes all day-use areas, boat launching and concession-operated sites.

"We are working hard to make Lake Berryessa safe for our employees and visitors and that will take time," said Regional Director Ernest Conant. "We ask the public to be patient during this process, and we look forward to opening as soon as possible."

Lake Berryessa is the reservoir for the Solano Project which is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and operated under a cooperative agreement by the Solano County Water Agency/Solano Irrigation District. The project provides flood control protection to the city of Winters and other downstream communities, as well as high-quality water supply for irrigation and the cities of Vacaville, Suisun City, Vallejo and Fairfield.

"Currently, Lake Berryessa is closed to the public while infrastructure is being rebuilt for future use," said Napa County Sheriff John Robertson. "We want to thank everyone for their patience and complying with the closure orders. Avoiding the area during closure allows hundreds of workers to do their jobs in a safe and timely manner. Please respect the closure.

The Hennessey Fire, the largest of the LNU Lightning Complex fires, tore through the Lake Berryessa area — leaving hundreds of homes destroyed in addition to the damages to Lake Berryessa facilities. Three people died in a home south of the lake on state Highway 128, and authorities said their deaths were directly linked to the fire.

"Allowing for a safe recovery process for our residents remains our top priority," said Napa County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Alfredo Pedroza.