Beardsley Day Use Area Opened

Sonora, CA — The public can now enjoy the renovated Beardsley Reservoir Day Use area.

Construction has been going on since April of last year. Stanislaus National Forest Officials report crews are in the final stage of making improvements associated with a hydro re-licensing which only happens once every 40 years.

“The day use area has remained closed while we negotiated the last of the punch list with the contractor and Tri-dam, the licensee,” said Molly Fuller, SNF District Ranger. “I needed assurances from Tri-dam on the last of the work that would be completed before we opened. We now have that assurance, and are opening the gate for public access.”

The day use area opened Friday. Other sites, including a new and a renovated campground will be opened on May 17th. One other area that has received a facelift is the boat launch, but it will not open until we get some rain.

SNF Spokesperson Rebecca Garcia says, “It’s (boat ramp) been extended 250 feet, but because of the drought, the water level is far below the ramp, and at the end there is about an eight foot drop so we’ve blocked it off.”

Garcia explains the water would need to rise another 12 to 15 feet before the ramp could be opened. In addition, there may be more closures this spring for asphalt pouring and completion of the road, trail and parking surfaces.

The project is the final stage of a 7.8 million dollar Federal Energy Regulatory Commission re-licensing. Click here for more information about the Beardsley Day Use Area.