Lake Berryessa (Near San Francisco CA) is toast

[Ronnie]

I boat at Lake Berryessa as often as I can. It’s the Closest fresh water lake To me. It has been surrounded by fire for a week now. People can’t get to it because of the fires and downed power lines on the road. I just found these pics and videos confirming the marina I launch out of (Markley Cove Marina) and all the marinas around the lake have been destroyed. Thankfully no one has died but I feel terrible for all those impacted. Some had to ride the firestorm out from boats in the middle of the lake, many are still stuck there since the roads are closed.

Lake Berryessa Fire Photos | Lake Berryessa News

lakeberryessanews.com

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=322767022250696

 

[Dean P]

So sad...

 

[jmargo]

Sounds like Pleasure Cove and Steele Canyon are OK. Just can't get to them right now.

 

[Ronnie]

@jmargo , I hope you are right because The reports I heard were that all the marinas were damaged but markley cove and Spanish flats got the worst of it. It looks like it will be quite sometime before markley cove will get back to business as usual. Their season/year just got cut really short. I don’t know if I would boat there right now even if I could, I assume the water is polluted right now at markley and Spanish flat.

 

[Ronnie]

I drove by lake Berryessa / Markley cove a few weekends ago on my way home from a day trip to Napa. Here are some pics. It’s hard to see the fire damage to the trees because many have been removed already (see the pic of a pile of removed trees) but the pics show the trees that survived, they are not normally that color). The pic of the concrete slab is all that is left of the markley cove store. The ramp is open and the guy in the booth told me that all eight of their rental cabins as well as 27 of their rental boats were destroyed by the fire. Reopening next summer is unlikely since they have to clear 6” of topsoil and get permits approved before rebuilding may start. I will still go there next year but know I can rely on the markedly dove market for anything I’ve forgotten.

 

[Ronnie]

I just saw a news story that stated that 30,000 people are expected to visit this lake this 4th of July weekend even though the water level is low because the water level is a lot lower at other lakes. I’ve boated here on the 4th before but will be passing this year. Launching and recovering will be shit show and parking will be off site by at least a mile. I hate ending time on the water with a long walk on hot asphalt to the tow vehicle.