Lake Berryessa News
August 2, 2026
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Lake Berryessa Statistics (8/2/26)
Lake Berryessa water level now stands at 432.5 feet - 7.5 feet below Glory Hole.
The lake output is averaging of 550 cfs (1,108 A-F per day).
Lake capacity is now at 1,4129,39 Acre-Feet or 91.1%.
Water temperature is averaging 80 degrees at the surface and a constant 55 degrees at 70 feet.
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Napa County Budget Bumps Billion Dollars Again!
“A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money”
This famous quote is most commonly attributed to U.S. Senate Republican Leader Everett Dirksen of Illinois. However, historical records show no proof he ever actually said it, and similar phrases appeared in print even earlier. The latest Napa County 2026-27 budget at $996,158,529, as the one before it, at $967,000,000, are inching towards that magic $1B. (Both of the previous budgets actually round up to $1B mathematically!)
Budget in Brief
https://www.napacounty.gov/3726/Budget-in-Brief
Board Adopts FY 2026-27 Budget
On June 23, the Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget. The budget reflects the Board of Supervisors’ continued commitment to fiscal responsibility, long-term planning, and investment in the services that matter most to our community. This spending plan is designed to maintain essential public services, support our workforce, preserve strong reserves, and strengthen the County’s long-term financial resilience. The budget also advances the County’s strategic priorities, while maintaining flexibility to respond to emerging needs and economic uncertainty.
Key investments include:
• $37 million in roads and infrastructure maintenance and improvements
• $34 million in fire services and wildfire resilience
• $66 million in public safety services, including investments for recruitment & retention
• $24 million in affordable housing, homelessness response & housing stability programs
• Advancing construction of a new state-of-the-art behavioral health treatment center
• Continued investment in workforce excellence
Where the Money Comes From
General Fund revenues are projected to increase by $5,305,423 (1.7%) compared to the prior fiscal year. Property taxes remain the County's largest discretionary revenue source and continue to drive overall revenue growth. Other significant sources of revenue driving this budget increase are taxes (property, sales, and hotel taxes). Other revenue sources include sales tax, transient occupancy tax (hotel tax), state funding for specific programs, and charges for services, such as planning permit fees.
While property tax revenues continue to grow, declines in sales tax and transient occupancy tax revenues highlight differing trends among the County's major revenue sources and reinforce the importance of prudent long-term financial planning.
Primary Revenue Sources
Property Taxes: $112,259,650
Sales Taxes: $13,154,000
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): $12,500,000
Other Taxes/Vehicle License Fee (VLF): $61,319,000
Total Tax Revenue: $199,232,650
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), commonly known as the hotel tax, is one of Napa County’s primary non-property tax revenue sources. The tax is collected on overnight stays in lodging accommodations located within unincorporated Napa County. The current TOT rate is 13%, including 1% dedicated to workforce housing initiatives.
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The Lake Berryessa News is a subscriber to Napa Valley Features and encourages you to read and support it. Here's the introduction to the latest of Tim Carl's excellent series on Napa County economic issues.
Napa Valley Features
(https://www.napavalleyfeatures.com/features)
Napa County's $996 Million Budget Leans on a Softening Tax Base
https://napavalleyfocus.substack.com/p/under-the-hood-napa-countys-996-million
"A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money." Napa's getting closer!
Napa County adopted a $996.2 million budget for fiscal 2026-27, but its general fund shrank as the county lowered estimates for property, sales and lodging taxes. Rising labor, insurance and storm-repair costs are outpacing the discretionary revenues that support core services. The county’s reserves and low debt provide a substantial cushion, though the budget raises a longer-term question about how well an asset-driven tax base can withstand continued weakness in tourism, hospitality and real estate.
Napa County’s Board of Supervisors adopted a $996.2 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 on June 23, a 3% increase over the prior year that the county’s own leadership frames less as growth than as holding the line. The headline number is up. The revenue underneath it is doing something more complicated.
In his transmittal letter, Chief Executive Officer Ryan Alsop wrote that “key discretionary revenues — including property, sales and transient occupancy taxes — are growing more slowly than the cost of delivering critical public services.” In its detailed tables, the budget sets all three of those taxes below the level it adopted a year ago. In its public summary, the county says property tax “continues to grow.” Both are true, and the space between them is this year’s story: The county still expects property taxes to rise over time, but it budgeted a smaller number than it had penciled in before, while sales and lodging taxes are falling outright.
Napa Valley Features has argued across several installments that the county’s economy stands on four legs — wine, tourism, hospitality and the property-tax base that funds the public services around them — and that three were slipping while the fourth held. This budget is where that pressure reaches the county’s own ledger.
Read the detailed analysis at:
https://napavalleyfocus.substack.com/p/under-the-hood-napa-countys-996-million
As with most organization's budgets, the major cost category is employee salaries and benefits. See the bar chart below. Napa County salary ranges by category are available on the Napa County website:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/napacounty/classspecs
Actual salaries by job position are available on sites like
https://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2025/napa-county
Below is summarized data for some Napa County salaries in 2025 (without names) from the Transparent California website.
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Lake Berryessa History As It Happened (and is still happening)
George Gamble is a long-time rancher on the northeast shore of Lake Berryessa who just turned 89 years old - lots of Lake Berryessa history there! George has been a life-long supporter of the Lake Berryessa community, the Lake Berryessa regional environment, and a friend of The Lake Berryessa News. He is also an expert in cattle grazing and environmentally-sound range management. My previous stories about cremation reminded him about his father and his father's connection to his beloved ranch.
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Cremation to Reincarnation?
by George Gamble
Growing up as a young man, my father would often tell me that when he died he wanted to be reincarnated as a dog. My father, nicknamed Gobe, was a kind-hearted, modest, but generous, man who loved animals of all kind. Most of all, he always loved his dogs, one of which was named Gobo, hence the nickname Gobe. Gobe always felt that to be a dog to be loved and cared for by a kind person would be the best of all worlds.
I don't know for a fact that there is such a thing as reincarnation, or by whose authority the decision is made as to what creature you will become when your spirit returns to earth. However, I do know that when my father died a series of events have occurred here at the ranch, which has led me to believe that Gobe is now soaring like an eagle and keeping a watchful eye on me and his beloved ranch.
Gobe left our world, as we know it, in 1973. His final wish was to be cremated. His wish was granted, and since I was the pilot in the family, I asked my mother and brother to allow me to spread Gobe's ashes over a prominent landmark on his ranch known as Knoxville Ridge.
Several years later, while working on the west side of the ridge, I observed a pair of Bald Eagles that seemed to be quite interested in a large Gray pine just off the western ridge top. Up to this time there had never been a record of Bald Eagles nesting in the Berryessa Valley, so I gave it no further thought except to admire the two birds and their majestic, effortless flight riding the thermals. But as an afterthought, with Lake Berryessa now having been created and providing suitable eagle habitat, maybe the time had come for Bald Eagles to start nesting here.
The following year I was at the top of Knoxville Ridge doing some tractor work when I noticed that the Grey pine now had a very large nest in the crotch of its larger branches. It seems the eagles had set up housekeeping! I wanted to tell my birding friends what I had found but soon came to my senses, realizing that the Southern Bald Eagle was endangered, and it was in my (and their) better interest not to say a word. I have kept the location of this nest private for many years now, except for my family, especially so after realizing that there may be more to these eagles than I previously thought.
Could it be that one of these eagles is my father who has been reincarnated and come back to his beloved ranch? I believe this to be the case. Gobe had always wanted to return as a dog, but who determines these matters? It must be God's and God chose Gobe's new life to be an eagle.
Another reason I think this eagle is my father is because Gobe studied engineering at Stanford prior to transferring to Davis. During the fall of 2004 a 40,000 acre fire incinerated the entire eastern slope of Knoxville Ridge leaving the trees on the west side unharmed. Fortunately, the nesting tree and nest survived this holocaust, which would not have been the case if the nesting tree was on the eastern side of the ridge. Was this a result of Gobe's engineering skills or just fate?
Still another reason I have to confirm that the eagle nesting on Knoxville Ridge is my father is something that happened to me this spring as I was grading the road on the ridge top adjacent to the nest. As I passed the nest, I saw two eaglets representing this year's offspring but not quite ready to fledge. Continuing on for a short ways I came to a reservoir where it would be a shaded and cool place for me to have my lunch. I shut the Cat's engine down and was sitting there looking at the reservoir with my feet propped up on the dash when to my amazement, my father (?) while looking directly at me, just ten feet off the surface of the water came gliding by as if to say: "Hi George, keep up the good work, son".
The last confirmation which makes me believe my father, Gobe, was reincarnated as an eagle was a situation that happened on July 1, 2011. I was preparing some rental property, "The School", for a new tenant to move in when I heard a familiar stuttering whistle. "The School" is not but a short distance (as the eagle flies) from the eagle's nest on Knoxville Ridge, so I looked up and there was Gobe again keeping his eye on me. He was approaching in a direct flight over "The School" so I started to wave. The wave I gave from the parking lot was a whole arm wave from side to side. Gobe broke from his direct line of flight and began circling directly 'above. Gobe must have recognized me, or knew I'd be there and came to check on me.
As he continued to circle, he gave a few more stuttering whistles while maintaining his normal wing flap cadence. At one point, however, he broke this cadence with a much shallower and quicker flap as if to wave back and then lined out on his journey to who knows where. I'm sure, however, I'll see Gobe soon again on another day as he continues to look out after me. Someday, I too hope to soar like an eagle!
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George and his wife, Nancy, were executive producers of a fascinating, and personally-inspired, 2023 movie, "Centurion: The Dancing Stallion", about Mexican dancing horses. Mexican dancing horses are called caballos bailadores, and the broader tradition of Mexican horsemanship and rodeo is known as charrería. These horses prance, step high, and move to the rhythm of traditional band music, almost looking like they are galloping in place. The movie includes some nice shots of Lake Berryessa and Napa. I just watched it again on YouTube. The ending sequences are amazing. You may smile until your cheeks cramp (IMHO).
You can watch it for free on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVwaRciFuWU
Production details, photos, and reviews are at:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10387818/
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Above: George, Nancy, and Katie on the set of Centurion, The Dancing Stallion
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George also had a wildlife camera on his ranch and sent me a few pictures to post in The Lake Berryessa News and in my book, "The Lake Berryessa Technical Manual". The one below elicited a complaint from a mother who didn't like the photo of a bear eating deer ribs. She thought it would frighten her children! More Lake Berryessa history from George next week.
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August Headlines
Newborn baby can already tell parents’ genetics not going to do him any favors.
City’s beautification initiative hamstrung by commitment to local artists.
Government experts say that there is no better time to have children as they will reach adulthood at the perfect time to fight in the world water wars.
Lincoln pool to remain permanently drained as contractors install mirrors instead.
Pharmaceutical ad urges viewers to fight doctors who say drug not right for them.
Study finds gen z telepaths lack attention span to read even single mind.
Doctors warn air fryers not a substitute for human companionship.
Report: Music’s power to unite, heal down 74%.
Man binge-watches entire movie in one sitting.
Everyone In Oval Office Meeting Currently In Some Stage Of Stroke.
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August Horoscopes
Aries (3/21-4/19: This week, Microsoft Word may define your grammar as "poorly constructed" and full of "run on sentences".
Taurus (4/20-5/20): Why not pick up the phone and yell into it wildly before dialing your required number.
Gemini (5/21-6/21): Tantalizing new evidence that you're about to have fun is going to reveal itself today.
Cancer (6/22-7/22): You've got as much right as anyone to stamp your feet and demand retribution.
Leo (7/23-8/22): You're as transparent as a blast of canned air - try to be more complex by wearing hats that are clearly too small for your head.
Virgo (8/23-9/22): You will never earn the respect of your peers if you keep inviting them to your house for slumber parties.
Libra (9/23-10/22): You should go with the more expensive helmet.
Scorpio (10/23-11/21): You are to be complemented for your skill at navigating websites.
Sagittarius (11/22-12/21): Finding solace in your friends will be key this week, so join a softball league or something to finally make a few.
Capricorn (12/22-1/19): Your selfish ways will not improve this week as you win a sizeable jackpot on the lottery.
Aquarius (1/20-2/18): Man Eating Salad Takes Moment To Appreciate What A Good Boy He’s Being.
Pisces (2/19-3/20): Overbearing girlfriend expects man to take feelings in his head, use words to say them into real world.
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Five Lake Berryessa resorts are open.
Spanish Flat Campground: https://campspanishflat.com/
Steele Canyon Campground: https://campsteelecanyon.com/
Pleasure Cove Marina: https://goberryessa.com/
Markley Cove Resort: https://markleycove.com/
Putah Canyon Campground: https://royalelkparkmanagement.com/putah-canyon
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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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Press Democrat: Camp Margaritaville Resort at Steele Canyon
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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