This Lake is owned by PG&E. Normally the Lake fills in the late spring from snow melt. While the final fill level varies year to year it generally fills to near full or within 2-3 feet of full and the Lake remains at this level for most of the summer, until Labor Day. PG&E does start to generate power during the last 2 weeks in August. Over the last few years the date generation is started has been delayed to provide a higher water level.

The Dam at Bass Lake has been identified as one that needs to be upgraded to meet modern seismic standards. PG&E has been working on performing an upgrade for several years. Originally this upgrade would have no affect on Lake level during the summer with only a slightly lower level in the winter. On March 4th, 2009 PG&E announced along with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the State Division of Safety of Dams, the Lake would not be allowed to fill above -10 feet from full until the upgrade is completed. The completion of the work is expected in Feb 2012. This level would be about 4 feet below a low water year that we had in the summer of 2007.

So what does this mean. Some private dock owners and a few community dock will be challenged with low water levels. All 3 Marinas will be operational. For docks that are affected, PG&E will work with dock owners to make adjustments if possible so those docks can be usable. For most people it will have no affect. The Lake will still have plenty of water to boat, ski, fish and swim.  The lake will have great sandy beaches.

For further information you may visit a new website cranevalleydam.com