Bass Lake/PG&E Project

[Dodgergirl]

Public Meetings Notice

Crane Valley Dam Seismic Retrofit Project

Pacific Gas & Electric Company will host two public meetings to presents PG&E's Crane Valley Dam seismic retrofit project located at the North Fork of Willow Creek about 40 miles northeast of Fresno, Madera County.

PG&E with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) to assess the seismic vulnerability of Crane Valley Dam and developing a retrofit project to strengthen the dam to meet federal dam safety standards.

PG&E considers safety of downstream residents its highest priority however also recognizes that Bass Lake is a significant recreation resource for tourists, hone owners and business. Bass Lake will remain open for all recreational uses during the seismic retrofit project. However, until the construction project is completed, DSOD, FERC, and PG&e recently agreed to maintain a lower water level at Bass Lake in order to reduce the risk of downstream flooding by a seismic event.

April 1, 2009
6 - 8 pm
The Pines, Lakeside Room
54432 Road 432
Bass Lake, Ca

April 2, 2009
6 -8 pm
North Fork Town Hall
33507 Road 230
North Fork, Ca




I was talking to a friend who has a stake in this, he said levels are about 70% currently and that is where they are planning on keeping them throughout the project. (but that is just a rumor)

[only1alphafemale]

I had read about this and also heard that overall the levels will be down at least 10' or more (also just a rumor) (?)

Has anyone heard how long a retrofit project to the dam may take? (We live on the South Fork of Willow Creek)

[Dodgergirl]

I heard the water level would be at -10 feet at the dam


for the most accurate info, I would try to get to a meeting


maybe we can get Sandman to video it and upload it here. a lot of people want this information.

[only1alphafemale]

That would be great if he could do that, ( I dont always have the ability to get to these things)

Yes the "-10" could have been where I got the number ten from! *Knew* it came from somewhere..rofl. rolleyes:

[wings]

Here is a good link that explains..
http://cranevalleydam.com/

[only1alphafemale]

Thank you Wings, going to check it out now~ :)

[Sandman]

Public Meetings Notice

Crane Valley Dam Seismic Retrofit Project

Pacific Gas & Electric Company will host two public meetings to presents PG&E's Crane Valley Dam seismic retrofit project located at the North Fork of Willow Creek about 40 miles northeast of Fresno, Madera County.

PG&E with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) to assess the seismic vulnerability of Crane Valley Dam and developing a retrofit project to strengthen the dam to meet federal dam safety standards.

PG&E considers safety of downstream residents its highest priority however also recognizes that Bass Lake is a significant recreation resource for tourists, hone owners and business. Bass Lake will remain open for all recreational uses during the seismic retrofit project. However, until the construction project is completed, DSOD, FERC, and PG&e recently agreed to maintain a lower water level at Bass Lake in order to reduce the risk of downstream flooding by a seismic event.

April 1, 2009
6 - 8 pm
The Pines, Lakeside Room
54432 Road 432
Bass Lake, Ca

April 2, 2009
6 -8 pm
North Fork Town Hall
33507 Road 230
North Fork, Ca

Discuss This Topic Here (http://www.yosemitearea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7038)

[Dodgergirl]

Merged these cause we were discussing it earlier today....

[Sandman]

A new topic was created to be used as the headline featured topic on the home page. Thanks though. It appears to still be displaying ok.

[SupraRacer007]

I'm afraid this lower lake level is going to hurt tourism, even if they try to minimize it by saying it's going to be only -10 feet lower than normal. If you've been around Bass Lake lately you'll notice that most of the private docks are not in the water, and the area next to the Forks Resort dock where you would normally anchor a boat ... has no water. I'm afraid the lake isn't going to be as busy as last year. With the economy, that's really going to sting local businesses ... including the ones in Oakhurst. I really have to wonder about this retrofit project ... in all the years my family has lived near Bass Lake, we've never experienced an earthquake that could do the sort of damage they're trying to prevent.

[Red Mule]

I know they will say safety can't wait, but their timing sucks.

[SupraRacer007]

I know they will say safety can't wait, but their timing sucks.

So true ... it couldn't be any worse, considering tourists are cutting back on expenses ... and trips to places like Bass Lake in the first place.:confused:

[Dodgergirl]

Bass Lake for the Forks Resort Today...

[Dodgergirl]

one more...

[SupraRacer007]

Bass Lake for the Forks Resort Today...

Exactly what I meant ... I don't live too far from there either, and I saw it yesterday. That area to the right of the doc in the pic you took is normally under water this time of year. The dock isn't floating in much water either. :p

[Dodgergirl]

Exactly what I meant ... I don't live too far from there either, and I saw it yesterday. That area to the right of the doc in the pic you took is normally under water this time of year. The dock isn't floating in much water either. :p

Yup, and they are opening this Friday... It's gonna be interesting. The area where the boats pic is usually under water right now.

[SupraRacer007]

Yup, and they are opening this Friday... It's gonna be interesting. The area where the boats pic is usually under water right now.

It's really sad, and I saw Ron Cox about 2 weeks ago at a soccer game ... and he told me this was going to happen, but he wanted to wait till it came out in the paper. He's not happy about it ... but there isn't much he can do. The dock at Miller's Landing has plenty of water as does the Pines Marina.

This really blows and will make even less areas for the wave runners to go, not to mention how many boats are going to run into stumps that aren't too far under water right now.

[Dodgergirl]

and how quickly the water will become toxic... we usually have the Labor Day cutoff for swimming.... wonder if it will be Memorial Day this year..

OR, possibly, the outcome of the upcoming meetings will allow for the filling of the Lake and conditions will be great!

[SupraRacer007]

and how quickly the water will become toxic... we usually have the Labor Day cutoff for swimming.... wonder if it will be Memorial Day this year..

OR, possibly, the outcome of the upcoming meetings will allow for the filling of the Lake and conditions will be great!

Well let's cross our fingers that something good comes of these meetings other than a PG&E rep saying "gee we're sorry but we don't want Bass Lake Annex to get washed all the way to O'Neals so ... suck it up folks!"

You're right about toxic Bass Lake after the boats and tourists have been in the water for a few weeks.

[wings]

It does suck that the tourist travel will be down on one hand. BUT let's look at the bright side. Shorter waits for Forks Burgers. The possibility of water skiing on the weekend without white caps. Finding a good beach spot without having to stake out a spot by 6:00 a.m. Extra beach front with lower water levels. And less places for the fishes to hide. Maybe I'll actually catch one this year. Oh ya one more.. Longer water slide at the falls.

[dorseygirl]

Maybe this would be a good time to get this done. If PG & E can afford it, the economy sucks and not a lot of people traveling anyways - maybe the lake won't have the tourist like it usually does so it can be done with less hassle (tourist).

[Dodgergirl]

I don't understand why it couldn't be done during the off season months... the lake is naturally low, not very much traffic... my daddy was a contractor and they still got stuff done...

[Chem101]

I went to the Pines meeting. The place was packed. PG&E is still finishing design and will start applying for permits shortly. Bottom line is they determined the potential hazard of dam failure with a large earthquake like the 1908 San Francisco quake. All the agencies are working on fast tracking the project, but realistically, we will have two to three summers with the lake down 10 feet from full. One thing I picked up based on responses to questions was no9ne of the agencies have really looked into the hazards created by the low water levels.... hidden sand bars...stumps just under the water...etc. Every time I cross the bridge at the falls, I shudder thinking some foolish child will try the rock slide and hit the bolders at the bottom.
They got the hint.

[CatdaBrat]

Speaking of low water levels, there is a standing forest of submerged trees (very tall ones) still under the water at Bass Lake. I know, because I have a tackle shop full of gear snagged on them! :confused: They're everywhere. But, that's also where you'll find the most fish!

[Red Mule]

I'm thinking the water skiers and fast boats had better keep it close to the middle. I'm thinking of all those stumps that were showing just a short while ago.