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PG&E Crane Valley dam Seismic Retrofit update today:
The lake is now at 3347+/- which is as low as PG&E can legally go. We
plan to keep it at this level as long as we can thru the winter and
early spring. Weather systems will dictate how well we do. FYI – we
just extended the Pines boat ramp to allow boat trailers to be able to
launch with the lake at this lowest level.
This current information was provided by
John Magyar
Construction Director
PARSONS
I have received some great questions regarding how the lake level will vary during the seismic retrofit project, and how recreation is affected.
By November 15th 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.
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
The blasting operations for the quarry scheduled to begin on February 2, 2011 are postponed. The blasting will commence within the following two weeks. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. The following are public safety procedures prior to and during blasting activities to ensure public safety near the quarry:
• The public is prohibited from entering areas within 1,000 feet of the quarry during blasting activities.
• Flagmen will be posted on Road 222, within the 1,000 feet blast safety radius, to stop all traffic during blasting activities. This area on Road 222 is within current flagmen operations.
• The public will hear the following warning horn signals:
– 5 minutes before the blast occurs will be a one minute series of long horn signals.
– 1 minute prior to the blast will be a series of short horn signals.
– Following the blast will be one prolonged horn signal indicating the blasting is complete.
• Blasting activities are limited to short periods of time during blasting days. Blasting will be limited to a few days per week throughout the dam construction.
Please visit www.cranevalleydam.com for more information on the Crane Valley Dam Seismic Retrofit Project.
Courtesy of PG&E
In recent months, PG&E has developed a quarry to produce the rock materials needed for the seismic retrofit of the dam. The quarry is located west of Road 222 near Crane Valley Dam. This notice is to inform the community that blasting operations at the quarry are scheduled to begin February 2, 2011. The following are public safety procedures prior to and during blasting activities to ensure public safety near the quarry:
• The public is prohibited from entering areas within 1,000 feet of the quarry during blasting activities.
• Flagmen will be posted on Road 222, within the 1,000 feet blast safety radius, to stop all traffic during blasting activities. This area on Road 222 is within current flagmen operations.
• The public will hear the following warning horn signals:
– 5 minutes before the blast occurs will be a one minute series of long horn signals.
– 1 minute prior to the blast will be a series of short horn signals.
– Following the blast will be one prolonged horn signal indicating the blasting is complete.
• Blasting activities are limited to short periods of time during blasting days. Blasting will be limited to a few days per week throughout the dam construction.
Please visit www.cranevalleydam.com for more information on the Crane Valley Dam Seismic Retrofit Project.
Courtesy of PG&E
The Crane Valley Dam was built between 1902 and 1911 before much was known about seismic activity and safety.
PG&E has determined that the Crane Valley Dam is susceptilble to seismic activity and developed a retrofit project to address these safety issues.
The retrofit project will begin as soon as the permitting process is complete and is expected to be complete by 2011.
Bass Lake will remain open for all recreational uses year round during the seismic retrofit project.
For more information on the retrofit project go here…
Information Courtesy of PG&E
Real Estate Sales
800.819.2114
Vacation Rentals
559.642.3600
