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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
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.
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 Farmers’ Market in the Pines Village at Bass Lake opened for the season again in mid May. It is held every Wednesday afternoon from 3pm to 7pm, in front of Good Ol’ Daze, and across the street from our office, Bass Lake Realty.
Local vendors offer fresh fruits, flowers, and vegetables available for purchase. Entertaining music is provided by the duo of Heidi and Marcia, “Kit ‘N Kaboodle”. Last Wednesday I chose strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and green beans, and they are all very fresh and delicious. Bass Lake Realty provides free, fresh-popped popcorn and water for your enjoyment. It’s a fun, festive atmosphere!
Bass Lake Farmers’ Market Sponsored by the Bass Lake Chamber Of Commerce is held each Wednesday from 3 til 7PM in the Pines Village at Bass Lake. (559) 642-8163 for info. http://www.goodoldaze.com/market.htm
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