After a temporary closure, the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park will reopen to the public at 3:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, December 07, 2011. The Tioga Road, the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada in the northern portion of the park, has been temporarily closed due a high wind event in the Yosemite area.

Winds up to 75 miles per hour were experienced at the higher elevations of the park, including along portions of the Tioga Road.  Wind in the area knocked over numerous trees and covered the Tioga Road with debris. Road crews and forestry crews worked throughout the weekend to clear the roadway for travel. No injuries were sustained and minimal structure damage was reported due to the event.
All roads within the Yosemite National Park are subject to temporary closures or chain control due to hazardous driving conditions. Visitors should be aware of the potential for icy spots along the higher elevations within the park. Tire chains may be required at any time during the fall and winter season. It is strongly recommended that all motorists carry
tire chains while driving in the park during the fall and winter months.

For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200.
Media Contacts:
Scott Gediman 209.372.0248
Kari Cobb 209.372.0529

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The Tioga Road (Highway 120 east of the Crane Flat Gas Station) and the Hetch Hetchy Road in Yosemite National Park will be temporarily closing tonight, Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. A high wind warning has been issued for the Yosemite area starting tonight, through Friday morning, December 2, that may impact driving conditions along the roadway. The Tioga Road and the Hetch Hetchy Road will remain closed until further
assessments can be made. An announcement will be made pending additional road closure changes.

Winds are expected to be between 20 and 40 miles per hour, with localized gusts up to 60 miles per hour in Yosemite Valley. Winds at the higher elevations of the park are expected to be between 50 and 60 miles per hour with localized gusts in excess of 75 miles per hour. The strongest winds are expected in the area between 4:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. tomorrow,
December 1.

There is the potential for very strong damaging winds with down trees and power lines and potential structure damage throughout the park. Visitors are urged to use caution while in Yosemite National Park during this high wind warning.

All roads within the park are subject to temporary closures due to hazardous driving conditions. Additionally, all roads are subject to potential closure without advanced notice due to safety concerns.

For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200.

The Pines Village will become Santa’s Village, and everyone is welcome to enjoy caroling, hot chocolate & hot cider, and of course the delightful parade!  Santa will light the 100 foot pine tree, and he will be available for photos with kids of all ages.

Raffle tickets are on sale now until Saturday evening November 26th at 6:30 pm at the Pines Registration desk and The Pines Market.  Bass Lake Water Sports is providing two bicycles to raffle, and Bass Lake Realty has provided two Ipods as raffle prizes.  All proceeds will go to Toys For Tots.

The Pines Resort and Bass Lake Event Center will collect coats and new winter accessories to benefit those who may not be able to afford them.

There may still be time to register your entry into the Parade of Lights by calling Tammie at (559) 692-8865.

Come celebrate the beauty of the holidays this Saturday evening!

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Yosemite Flute and Arts Festival

Native American flute and world music festival. Live music all three days. Native American flute, world flute and art vendors, workshops, drum circle. The festival will be held at the Sierra Sky Ranch, 10 miles from Yosemite’s gate.
www.yosemiteflutefest.com

Annual Smokey Bear 10k and Fun Run

Saturday, September 24

Set among the beautiful backdrop of Bass Lake this annual event attracts over 900 participants. This year’s event proceeds will benefit the local community with proceeds going to volunteer fire departments, search and rescue teams, Sheriff’s explorer groups and the Yosemite High School cross country teams.
Registration: 6:45 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.at Recreation Point, Bass Lake.
First race begins at 7:45 a.m. sharp!
www.smokeybearrun.com

Crane Valley Dam

Crane Valley Dam is located about 40 miles northeast of Fresno in Madera County, California on the North Fork of
Willow Creek, a tributary of the San Joaquin River. The dam was built between 1902 and 1911 when very little was
known about seismic activity. The dam is a 145-foot high, hydraulic earth and rock fill embankment, with a thin central
concrete core wall. The dam is 1,880 feet long, and the crest of the dam is at 3,380 feet elevation.

Crane Valley Dam consists of two distinct dams separated by a rock knoll. The Main Dam is located in the main channel
of the creek, and has earth fill on the upstream side of the core wall and rock fill on the downstream side. The West Dam
is located adjacent to the main dam in a smaller side channel west of the creek, and has earth fill on both sides of the con
wall. The spillway is located on a saddle about 500 feet to the east ofthe dam.

Seismic Retrofit Project History

There are two main regulatory agencies involved with the Crane Valley Dam:

• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• The Department of Water Resources (DWR), Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD)

Division of Safety of Dams is responsible to review the stability of all dams in California. In light of improved design
approaches as well as new findings regarding earthquake hazards and hydrologic estimates, DSOD periodically
establishes new requirements for dams. In 2002, DSOD requested that PG&E revise previous seismic stability analysis
of Crane Valley Dam (BassLake). After completing studies on the dam stability, the results indicated that modifications
to the dam were necessary to meet current standards for seismic stability. Since 2002, PG&E has worked in concert with
DSOD and the FERC to conduct further analysis of the seismic stability and coordinate the development of a seismic
retrofit plan for Crane Valley Dam. Analysis showed that in the event of an earthquake, the dam could slump and allow
water to flow over the top, causing flooding downstream.

Since then, PG&E has developed a retrofit design to modify the Crane Valley Dam to increase the stability of the dam
structures to meet state and federal safety guidelines. The dam modification would consist of the addition of
approximately 253,000 cubic yards of rock fill to selected areas on the upstream and downstream faces of the dam.

In summary, the seismic retrofit project will include the following measures:

• Installation of rockfill buttresses on the sections of the dam that have hydraulic fill on both the upstream and downstream sides of the concrete core wall
• Tying back the top of the concrete core wall in the section of the dam where the downstream shell consists of a massive rockfill embankment
• Raising and re-grading the crest to elevation 3387, about 7 feet above present minimum crest elevation, to provide more freeboard

Key Facts / FAQs

What type of dam construction makes up the Crane Valley Dam?

Crane Valley Dam consists of two distinct dams separated by a rock knoll. The Main Dam is location in the main
channel of the creek, and has earth fill on the upstream side of the core wall and rock fill on the downstream side. The
West Dam is located adjacent to the main dam in a smaller side channel west of the creek, and has earth fill on both side~
of the core wall. The spillway is located on a saddle about 500 feet to the east of the dam.

What are the seismic improvements being made to the Crane Valley Dam?

In summary, the seismic retrofit project will include the following measures:

• Installation of rockfill buttresses on the sections of the dam that have hydraulic fill on both the upstream and downstream sides of the concrete core wall
• Tying back the top of the concrete core wall in the section of the dam where the downstream shell consists of a massive rockfill embankment
• Raising and re-grading the crest to elevation 3387, about 7 feet above present minimum crest elevation, to provide more freeboard

Will parts of the lake be closed off during the retrofit construction?

During parts of construction it is expected that an area by the dam will be closed. However, this work is scheduled to be
completed during normal drawdown of the reservoir and should not have an impact to recreation in the summer months.

Will local roads be closed during the seismic retrofit construction?

In order to safely and efficiently transport material and equipment to and from the construction site, a traffic control plan
will be developed in accordance with conditions required by the Madera County Road Department and other resource
agencies. Road safety signs will be installed and flag persons will be used in accordance with traffic control best
management practices (BMP). Along with public warning signs, temporary chain link fencing with gates will be
installed at both ends of the dam.

Bass Lake is being required to maintain a water level reduction to 10 feet below maximum water level for safety of downstream residents. Will this restriction be year round or just in the summer months?

As an operating reservoir, Bass Lake water level fluctuates throughout the year and during the winter months is often
lower than the level 10 feet below maximum lake level restriction. Hydro generation will continue throughout the
construction project and the 10 foot reduction restriction is specific to summer months.

How long will the Bass Lake water level reduction be in place?

The reservoir restriction will remain in place until completion of the dam seismic retrofit estimated to be 2012.

Will the Bass Lake water level be increased back to normal after construction is complete or will increasing the lake level have to wait for the re-vegetation to be completed?

PG&E anticipates the water level will return to normal once construction is completed pending approval by DSOD and FERC.

For more information, go to: www.cranevalleydam.com

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Boat on Over on Open Dock Day to See Lake Front Homes for Sale from the Lake

This week we’d like to tell you about the “open dock day” on Saturday June 18 on Bass Lake.

Boat over and dock at lake front Bass Lake homes for sale Saturday, June 18, 11 am – 3 pm.

Come by car, come by boat, just be sure to come by.

Drop by the Bass Lake Realty office in the Pines Village or Bass Lake Water Sports in the Pines Marina for directions to the homes & docks.

Call Today – 559-642-3610

Click Here to Search Bass Lake & Area Listings For Great Buys

Click Here to Contact Your Bass Lake Realty Agent

Let us know if you have any questions,

Thanks,

Your Bass Lake Realty Team

Rhonda Salisbury with the Yosemite Visitor’s Bureau reports that Tim Yount, the Chief Operating Officer of USA Triathlon, will be attending the event. Mr. Yount is the most recognizable name in the Triathlon community.

Additionally, Mark Montgomery, who competed in either 1983 or 1984 and placed 16th overall, will also attend.

The current number of participants is strong, with pre-registration continuing up until the day of the race. Early registration is recommended, as the number of participants is limited to 700.

In addition to the triathlon sprint and international distances, the Run For Our Future 5k Race is scheduled for that morning as well. Open to all ages, the run benefits The Boys and Girls Club and Yosemite High School Sports. 100% of the proceeds will go to these worthwhile organizations. Fewer runners have entered the 5k, although many are expected. Rhonda encourages those who have not yet registered to sign up to be guaranteed a T-shirt.

The 21st Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show will be held at Bass Lake on Saturday, May 14^th.

Sponsored by the Bass Lake Lions Club, the show will feature over 50 of the finest preserved and restored watercraft to be found on the west coast.

The show is the annual rendezvous of the Southern and Northern California Chapters of the Antique and Classic Boat Society of America and promises to be one of the largest of the season in California.

The show takes place on the docks in front of Ducey’s On The Lake in the Pines Village on the north shore of Bass Lake.

Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission fee to see the boats is $3.00 per person and all proceeds go toward sight preservation and other community projects supported by the Bass Lake Lions, including a camp for deaf and sight impaired children.

Bring your old eyeglasses, cell phones and hearing aids for recycling and get 2 free raffle tickets for the mega drawing.

For more information, please call Jim Milligin at (559) 642-3420.

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Routes 140, 120 and 41 park roads are currently open. Call CALTRANS for latest update. Badger ski area will not be open on Monday, but hopefully will be open on Tuesday.

As we stated many times during the storm events, we profoundly thank everyone for their incredible efforts. DNC has a thank you Yosemite Community dinner tonight at Curry Valley between 6:00-8:00 pm. DNC wants to thank those individuals that worked tirelessly during the power outage and storm events.

Most visitor services are open in Yosemite Valley; limited campgrounds are scheduled to open Monday. Check the park’s information line, 209 372-0200, for up-to-date, current road conditions and chain control restrictions.

Information provided courtesy of Don Neubacher, Superintendent

By November 15^th each year, Bass Lake typically is lowered to 50% of high water level, beginning in July and continuing through the fall.  This allows the spring snow melt to fill up the lake again by the following May.  The level you see in the Dam Cam now is 5 feet lower even than that to allow some work to progress below the dam, currently out of sight of the camera.  The lake is at about 43% of capacity, but we still see fishing boats trolling daily if weather permits.

BassLakeDamCam.com

During the summers of 2009 and 2010, the lake level was brought up to 10 feet lower than full, or about 90% of capacity, and this summer will be the same, until the project is complete.   We were initially concerned that recreation might be reduced, but were pleasantly surprised that recreational activities were minimally affected.  Boating, skiing, wakeboarding, swimming, and fishing were all enjoyed normally, and without major incident.

A few boat slips were rendered unusable, but the staff at PG&E did a great job of working with those homeowners to make other accommodations.  Some folks were allowed to move their docks out further; some added buoys to anchor their boats; and a few shared space with other owners.  Very few of our vacation rental homes had to make these types of accommodations; most operated normally.

Some of our visitors who normally arrive in May or June were pleased to discover sandy beaches were available in more spots.  90% capacity is plenty of water for all activities here, and that is the level the lake is at typically during most of September & parts of October.  The fall is lovely at Bass Lake, with warm water, sunshine, and less activity on the lake.

So to summarize, the lake is lower than normal now, will come up again to 90% full for summer 2011, then will be slowly lowered back down to 50% by November 2011. Recreational activities in all four seasons continue to be enjoyed.

We have been advised that work is progressing on schedule, calling for the seismic retrofit project to be completed in the spring of 2012 with normal lake level and lake operations to follow that summer.

Beth Carver, GRI

Managing Broker

Bass Lake Realty