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The Lake Berryessa News
March 16, 2026
Heat Wave!
Weather service issues Bay Area’s first-ever heat advisory for March. The Bay Area and Central Coast are under their first-ever March heat advisory, with temperatures forecast to reach the 80s along the coast and 90s inland from Monday through Friday. The agency has never before issued a heat advisory in the Bay Area in March, and only one April heat advisory has been recorded over the past two decades.
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Lake Berryessa Statistics (3/16/26)
Lake Berryessa water level has officially remained at 439.37 feet, (7.6 inches) below Glory Hole for the last few days.
03/12/2026 - 439.37'
03/13/2026 - 439.37'
03/14/2026 - 439.37
03/15/2026 - 439.37
Rainfall at Monticello Dam remains at 21.15 inches for the rain year. There has been no rain for the last two weeks, and none is expected in the near future. The present heat wave will dry out the watershed significantly.
Future rain forecasts are basically zero and do not look promising for a Glory Hole overflow this year. Historically, few of the last 20 years have had significant rainfall in March or April. In addition, evaporation is rising and soon may hit a quarter inch per day nearing 2 inches per week.
The lake output is at 190 cfs, 377 A-F per day, and will continue to increase because the main agricultural season is beginning.
Creeks are basically dry. The Guenoc Upper Putah Creek flow monitoring station shows an input to the north end of the lake of 94 cfs. The Solano County Water Agency doubles that to 188 cfs as an estimate of the total flow into the lake from the whole watershed. That total estimated amount is less than the present outflow from the dam (190 cfs).
When full (Glory Hole level) the lake contains 1,551,292 Acre-Feet of water.
Lake capacity is now at 1,539,950 Acre-Feet or 99.3%
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Is Glory Hole Watch 2026 Over?
With the chance of any future rainfall very low, Glory Hole Watch 2026 may be ending soon. Lack of rainfall combined with warm, sunny weather has significantly lowered runoff.
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Is Glory Hole Watch 2026 Over?
Or Creating Controversy Again!
With the chance of any future rainfall very low, Glory Hole Watch 2026 may be ending soon. But a photo below of Glory Hole on March 10, 2026 by Associate Editor, photographer, and drone pilot, Evan Kilkus, may call that into question.
Evan was driving our friend, Scott Finnerman, to the Sacramento Airport and stopped at the dam to take some photos around 8:30 A.M. As usual, the wind was blowing through the gap causing ripples on the lake. He also took photos a few hours later on his way back to the Berryessa Highlands when the air was calm.
Once again, the visual impact of the 72 foot wide Glory Hole makes it a bit difficult to comparatively judge small distances such as 7 inches. But you can definitely see the small plumes of water overflowing the Glory Hole lip in the early photo. Let the debate begin.
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Budweiser plant shuts operation in Fairfield
The closure of the plant, which has been operating in Fairfield for almost 50 years, means the loss of 238 jobs and an estimated loss of about $10.7 million annually to the city.
The Budweiser brewery primarily used water from Lake Berryessa for brewing over 4 million barrels of beer annually. It focused on high-efficiency water usage, recycling wastewater on-site, and reducing consumption by nearly 50% through advanced cooling, cleaning, and brewing processes. Water is the primary ingredient in beer production, and the Fairfield plant used over 1,500 acre-feet (488,777,148 gallons) of Lake Berryessa water per year.
When Lake Berryessa is full at 440 feet above mean sea level Glory Hole level, it contains at 1,551,292 Acre-Feet of water. As of today, March 15, 2026 it is 99.23% capacity at 1,539,418 Acre-Feet of water.
In normal years, Lake Berryessa level will drop about 10 feet each year before the next rainy season fills it back up. Since each drop of one foot of the 20,700 acre lake is equivalent to 20,700 acre-feet of water usage, a 10 foot annual drop amounts to 207,000 acre-feet. The annual 1,500 acre-feet used by Budweiser was a very small percentage - 0.097%. Unfortunately for Fairfield, it's a substancial financial and lost jobs hit.
Budweiser's claim to fame regarding Lake Berryessa is that it had a contract to use ONLY Lake Berryessa water in its brewing process because of its purity and chemical profile. See my original story:
This Bud’s for you (and from you), Lake Berryessa!
https://www.lakeberryessanews.com/resources/Past-Stories-&-Reports/This-Bud's-For-You-story.pdf
Reliable water is rare in California and one of the most important elements in many manufacturing, food processing and biotechnology companies. Thirty years ago, when Anheuser-Busch was looking for a West Coast home for its Budweiser distilling vats, it tested the water in Solano County and stipulated it would move to Fairfield if the city could guarantee to provide only Lake Berryessa water.
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Napa County Baseline Data Report - 2026 Update
Napa County has released the Draft Baseline Data Report (BDR) - (https://arcg.is/1Gzfb40) - for public review and comment as part of the County’s upcoming General Plan Update. Community members are invited to review the report and submit feedback through April 10, 2026.
“The Baseline Data Report provides a clear, data-driven snapshot of conditions across Napa County’s unincorporated areas,” said Brian Bordona, Director of Napa County Planning, Building & Environmental Services. “Community input is essential as we move forward with the General Plan Update, and we encourage residents to review the report and share feedback.”
Get Involved: Community Workshops
Both sessions will cover the same content, including an overview of the Draft Baseline Data Report followed by an open house. This is your opportunity to discuss findings and share feedback directly with County staff and the report’s authors.
In-Person Workshop
Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Schmitt Hall at Yountville Commons
Yountville Community Center
6554 Yount Street, Yountville
Virtual Workshop
Monday, March 23, 2026 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Register in advance to receive your personalized Zoom link.
About the Baseline Data Report:
The Baseline Data Report (BDR) provides a comprehensive assessment of Napa County’s existing land uses and environmental, cultural, economic, and social conditions, as well as the current regulatory framework. It serves as the technical foundation for the upcoming General Plan Update (GPU) and its associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
The updated BDR incorporates new scientific data, community insights, and best practices to ensure it remains a valuable resource for decision-making, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
Launched in summer 2025, the draft reflects a year-long collaboration between the County’s Planning, Building and Environmental Services team, internal and external subject-matter experts, and community members. Feedback gathered during community workshops in July and November 2025 has been instrumental in shaping the report.
Share Your Feedback
Residents are encouraged to review the report and submit comments through the online feedback form. The deadline for submitting comments on the Draft Baseline Data Report is April 10, 2026.
To review the report, submit feedback, or learn more, visit napacounty.gov/bdr.
Questions may also be submitted by email to bdr@countyofnapa.org.
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My 82nd birthday is coming up in July. I think I'll buy and wear this shirt to my party!
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The 26 for 26 Program Continues!
My sincere thanks to those of you who have donated to The Lake Berryessa News in the past. Due to your support, the Lake Berryessa News has been able to continue publishing as costs continued to rise. Our social media presence and our email newsletters will provide the news you need and more...
https://www.lakeberryessanews.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064928340101
If you wish to receive our email newsletter, please send your email address to pkilkus@gmail.com.
Remember, without The Lake Berryessa News there would be no Lake Berryessa news. I challenge you to find any reporting like the stories you find on our social media sites and in our email newsletters.
If you love Lake Berryessa and the Lake Berryessa News in all its forms and want to support the Lake Berryessa community as it is revitalized, please send a donation check of $26 (or more if you feel so inclined) made out to Peter Kilkus (not the Lake Berryessa News) and mail it to Peter Kilkus, 1515 Headlands Drive, Napa, CA 94558. You can stick crinkly old bills in an envelope with your contact information and send it to the same address. You can also use Venmo (@Peter-Kilkus) or Paypal (Peter Kilkus) if you wish. (Note: Your donation is NOT tax deductible)
Your decision to support the Lake Berryessa News will show your vote of confidence in the future of the Lake Berryessa community. Hopefully, 2026 will be a positive year in the revitalization process for the lake. I’ll continue to do my best to keep you informed about every detail affecting Lake Berryessa.
Thanks, Peter
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Glory Hole Watch 2026 has slowed. For historical perspective, watch Evan Kilkus' Lake Berryessa News drone videos of the dramatic rise of Lake Berryessa as it finally spilled over Glory Hole on 2/16/17 after an 11-year drought at:
https://youtu.be/bGJvofIyTwQ
1/11/17: 10"+ of Rain Takes Its Toll, But Lake Berryessa is Rising
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https://youtu.be/PRWAfVw9DBU
2/10/17: Lake Berryessa Is Almost Full
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https://youtu.be/8pIPsgLFggk
2/12/17: Lake Berryessa Splashes Over Glory Hole -With a Little Help
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https://youtu.be/EH0LQW7iduY
2/12/17: Breathtakingly Beautiful Drone Tour of Lake Berryessa
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https://youtu.be/cB0BKIm1EzM
2/16/17: Lake Berryessa Is Full &Splashing Over the Spillway
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https://youtu.be/uQp0QConILY
2/18/17: Lake Berryessa Is Spilling 1 Foot Over Glory Hole
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Original ACDC version of:
2/18/17: Lake Berryessa Is Spilling 1 Foot Over Glory Hole
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https://youtu.be/-iHAjOrrU4k
2/21/17: Lake Berryessa is 3.5' OVER the Glory Hole Spillway
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https://youtu.be/qhPzR2Gqzs0
2/24/17: Another Breathtaking Drone Tour of a Full Lake Berryessa
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Track the real-time Lake Berryessa weather at:
Skiers Cove (Below the Berryessa Highlands)
Skier Cove - KCANAPA228
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA228
East Side Road (Across from Big Island)
East Side Road, Lake Berryessa - KCALAKEB2
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCALAKEB2
Spanish Flat (Near the Spanish Flat Recreation Area)
Roger - KCASPANI1
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCASPANI1
Berryessa Pines
KCANAPA461
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA461
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Lake Berryessa Fire Watch Cameras
This site covers the whole Lake Berryessa Region.
http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
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Free Book Chapters Available For Download
My sincere thanks to those of you who contributed to the future of the Lake Berryessa News. I challenge you to find any Lake Berryessa news anywhere. Hopefully, the many years of our intensive reporting about the latest Lake Berryessa issues will convince you of the truth of our motto, "Without The Lake Berryessa News there would be no Lake Berryessa news".
Here's a gift from The Lake Berryessa News to my readers - Free downloadable chapters from my books:
The Death of a Valley
Why Does Lake Berryessa Exist?
The Lake Berryessa Watershed
Rainfall and Lake Level History
How High Is Lake Berryessa?
How Deep is Lake Berryessa?
How Much Water Does Lake Berryessa Hold?
Mean Sea Level: Is There Such A Thing As Accurate Height?
Water In, Water Out, But From Where?
Does the WALROS Like Lake Berryessa?
Why is Lake Berryessa Not a Part of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?
East Side Story
Hiking and Wildlife Viewing
Are There Quail on Quail Ridge?
Why Does A Hiker Cross The Road? To Get To Stebbins Cold Canyon!
Private Houseboats - Yes; Private RVs & Trailers - No: Why?
Motorized Boats Banned From Big Island Lagoon! Why!
Archeologists Can't Dunk But Can Dig
What Can't You Do At Lake Berryessa?
Napa Opposes Building the Monticello Dam
Monticello Dam Construction
Raise Monticello Dam
Power Generation at Monticello Dam
Monticello Dam Failure Analysis
Predicting the Future & Glory Hole Drone Videos
As Lake Berryessa Turns!
The Ins and Outs & Ups and Downs of Lake Berryessa
Does Lake Berryessa Sweat in the Summer?
Glory Hole Introduction
How Does Glory Hole Work?
Glory Hole: Awesome, Frightening, But Dangerous?
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Lake Berryessa Political History (Free Downloads of Book Chapters)
Policy And Politics Betray The People: The Lake Berryessa Saga: 1958 - 2020, By Peter Kilkus
I. The Five Tragedies Of The Berryessa Valley: A History Of Heartbreak
II. Lake Berryessa Political History Timeline
III. The “Big Lie”: How It All Began
IV. The “Big Fail”: Napa Abandons Lake Berryessa (1975)
V. The “Big Picture”: Lake Berryessa Issues: 1957 - 2012
VI. The “Big Illusion”: Notice Of Intent
VII. The “Big Fight”: Facts Do Matter
VIII. The “Big Betrayal”: Perversion Of Public Law 96-375
IX. The “Big Mistake”: Pensus - The Beginning Was The End!
X. The “Big Hole In History”: Post-Pensus Blues
XI. The “Big Boondoggle”: Creation Of A Phony National Monument
Addendum 1. Dueling Napa Register Letters To The Editor
Addendum 2. The Napa Register View
Index Of Primary Documents
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Lake Berryessa Technical Manual: The Science, Engineering, History, and Humor of a Major Unnatural Resource
https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Berryessa-Technical-Manual-Engineering-ebook/dp/B0C21DZ9M9/ref=sr_1_3?
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Policy and Politics Betray the People: The Lake Berryessa Saga: 1958 - 2020
https://www.amazon.com/Policy-Politics-Betray-People-Berryessa-ebook/dp/B08MFSQDBR/ref=sr_1_1?
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Conspiracy Theory or Automatic Pilot: The Economic Roots of Environmental Destruction
https://www.amazon.com/Conspiracy-Theory-Automatic-Pilot-Environmental/dp/1676368302/ref=sr_1_3?
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The KPIX Eye on the Bay interview below is one I did in 2010 and a relevant introduction to the substance of the book. I did it after Pensus had been given the contract for 5 resorts. As we all know Pensus was subsequently kicked out in 2012.
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Lake Berryessa Data Sources
There are many sources of Lake Berryessa water and weather conditions available. The Solano County Water Agency site is good for real-time graphs of level, capacity, and water temperature. The California Data Exchange Center has data going back decades for level, capacity, capacity change, dam outflow, dam inflow, and rainfall. Anyone can research their own data and create custom charts. This is the source of many of the charts on the Lake Berryessa News website.
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An upgraded wildfire alert camera system will be keeping watch on Napa County day and night and notifying Cal Fire crews of potential fires. Twenty cameras will be part of a system that will use artificial intelligence and other technologies to identify fire and smoke. If they detect something, an alert will sound in the Cal Fire emergency command center near St. Helena.
Cal Fire has made a large investment into the ALERTCalifornia system, partnering with UC San Diego. There are 1,000 cameras across the state and Napa County is one of the test models. Cameras can see 60 miles during the day, and this can increase to 120 miles on clear nights, with the changes in the air. The system can differentiate among smoke, clouds and dust. A link to this camera system and other relevant weather data is available on the Lake Berryessa News website at: http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
This website was created by Doug Kunst. It is an amazing resource for Lake Berryessa fire cameras and weather. His business website is http://www.rntl.net/
Lake Berryessa Fire Alert Cameras
http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
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Real-Time Lake Level, Lake Capacity, Water Temperature
Solano County Water Agency
https://www.scwamonitoring.com/LakeBerryessa/
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Lake Detailed Historical Data
California Data Exchange Center
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/
Research historical data and create custom plots
Lake Berryessa Code: BER
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/sensorplots?staid=ber&dur_code=D
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Local Weather Stations (Weather Underground Network)
Skiers Cove (Below the Berryessa Highlands)
Skier Cove - KCANAPA228
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA228
East Side Road (Across from Big Island)
East Side Road, Lake Berryessa - KCALAKEB2
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCALAKEB2
Spanish Flat (Near the Spanish Flat Recreation Area)
Roger - KCASPANI1
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCASPANI1