Berryessa Facts
Lake Berryessa Vicinity Map Lake Berryessa Location Map
Lake Berryessa was formed when the Bureau of Reclamation built Monticello Dam on Putah Creek in 1957. Project purposes included flood control, municipal and industrial water supply, and irrigation water supply.
The Monticello Hydroelectric Power Plant is owned and operated by the Solano Irrigation District. Electrical energy is generated by three hydroelectric units utilizing water releases to Putah Creek from Lake Berryessa through the existing northern penstock of Monticello Dam.
Electricity is transmitted to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's power grid. The installed capacity is 11.5 megawatts. Construction of the Monticello Power Plant began in September 1981 and the first electrical energy was generated on March 9, 1983.
A $17 million revenue bond issue financed the project. No Federal, State, or local tax monies were used in construction.
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The Morning Glory Spillway (Glory Hole) is the funnel-shaped outlet that allows water to bypass the dam when it reaches capacity (1,602,000 acre-feet). |
The Lake Berryessa Recreation area is Federally-owned, public land administered by Reclamation. Since the 1950's, seven concessionaires have had contracts with the Government to provide recreation support services.
Six of the seven concession contracts have been in place for almost 50 years and are expiring in 2008/2009. The Pleasure Cove Marina interim contract will expire on September 30, 2008. New contracts will likely be significantly altered to reflect contemporary public needs and use patterns. The concessions and their contract expiration dates are:
- 6/15/08 - Rancho Monticello Resort (Closed)
- 7/13/08 - Spanish Flat Resort (Closed)
- 8/13/08 - Lake Berryessa Marina Resort
- 8/13/08 - Putah Creek Resort
- 9/30/08 - Pleasure Cove Marina
- 5/26/09 - Markley Cove Resort
- 5/26/09 - Steele Park Resort
Please direct questions to Janet
Rogers, Park Manager
(707) 966-2111, x105
July 14, 2008