Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region Banner
Reclamation Home             Reclamation Offices             Newsroom             Library            Projects & Facilities
interactive image:  Lake Berryessa; click for larger image
interactive image:  Glory Hole at Lake Berryessa; click for larger photo
interactive image:  Fishing at Lake Berryessa; click for larger image
interactive image:  Lake Berryessa; click for larger image interactive image:  Employees at Lake Berryessa; click for larger image interactive image:  Catching a fish at Lake Berryessa; click for larger image
static image:  Lake Berryessa

Interactive photo of our Water Education program - click here to see the short media production or the link below
Water Education Program Information

Visit the Lake Berryessa Chamber of Commerce
Interactive graphic for Lake Berryessa Chamber of Commerce - click to visit their website for additional information about Lake Berryessa
Download their Brochure

In the News
Highlights

Non-interactive orange spacerLake Berryessa is the reservoir for the Solano Project which is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and operated under a cooperative agreement by the Solano County Water Agency/Solano Irrigation District. The project provides flood control protection to the city of Winters and other downstream communities and high-quality water supply for irrigation and the cities of Vacaville, Suisun City, Vallejo, and Fairfield. At capacity, Lake Berryessa stores 1.6 million acre feet of water and is one of the largest bodies of fresh water in California. The lake is 23 miles long, 3 miles wide, with 165 miles of shoreline. Reclamation and the California Department of Fish and Game jointly manage a 2,000-acre wildlife area along the east side of the lake. For more details on the Solano Project, please click here.

Non-interactive orange spacerNestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities. Berryessa's water reaches temperatures of up to 75 degrees in the summer, making it an ideal place for water sports. Anglers enjoy fishing for both cold and warm water species, such as rainbow trout, bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.

Non-interactive orange spacerLake Berryessa provides many opportunities to experience a variety of wildlife and plant exploration activities. The Monticello Dam area at the southeast corner of the lake is one of the best local birding areas. The best time to visit for the best birding opportunities is in the early spring and late fall during migration and nesting seasons. The grassy hills dotted with oak and manzanita provide excellent opportunities to view eagles, hawks, songbirds, wild turkeys, and deer. Shoreline viewing opportunities may include canada geese, pelicans, great blue herons, western grebes, wood ducks, snow geese, and common loons.

Lake Berryessa Field Office and Visitor Center

Reclamation provides visitor services and information in their headquarters area near Oak Shores Day Use Park.

Field Office and Visitor Center
5520 Knoxville Road, Napa CA 94558
 707/966-2111

Water Education and Information Station

static image:  Lake Berryessa trailerReclamation introduced a new Water Education and Information Station in 2005, to provide fun family activities and relay water safety and conservation messages to visitors. We also provide a free lifejacket “loaner” service in Oak Shores during the Station hours of operation only.

The Water Education and Information Station is located inside Oak Shores Day Use Park at 5550 Knoxville Road, Napa CA 94558.

Water Education and Information Station hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.,
on summer weekends and holidays only.


Contact Us for Reclamation addresses and to contact our Administrative Offices

Last update: November 4, 2009