Overview
Lake Berryessa is a Bureau of Reclamation reservoir on Putah Creek in Napa County, California, formed by Monticello Dam. Completed in 1957, the lake covers approximately 20,700 acres. It is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for water supply, irrigation storage, and recreation.
With about 165 miles of shoreline, Berryessa offers long arms, coves, points, and open main-lake basins in a coastal-range setting. Depth and bottom structure vary from shallower cove and shoreline habitats to deep water near the dam, creating diverse conditions for boaters and anglers. The drowned Putah Creek valleys and extensive indented shoreline give the basin a distinctive multi-arm character.
Lake Berryessa is a major northern California recreation destination for boating, fishing, and shoreline use, with public ramps and recreation facilities around the pool. Fisheries and boating regulations are supported by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Access is distributed among developed recreation sites that serve regional visitors.
Reclamation manages Berryessa for storage and project operations, with full pool published near 440 feet NGVD29. Seasonal runoff, water-supply deliveries, and flood or spillway operations move elevations through the operating range. Monitoring lake levels matters for navigation in the arms, ramp and marina usability, fishing success, and shoreline access as the pool changes.
Current Conditions
Lake Berryessa is currently 9.68 feet below full pool and has fallen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.55 ft
- 30-day changeDown 2.29 ft
- Drought conditionsNo Drought
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Lake Berryessa is a 20,700-acre reservoir on the Putah Creek managed by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
