Beardsley Day Use Area Opens Today

Sonora, Calif. (February 14, 2014)… Now in the final stage of improvements associated with a hydro re-licensing that only happens once every 40 years, the Stanislaus National Forest (NF) is opening Beardsley Day Use Area today.

“The day use area has remained closed while we negotiated the last of the punch list with the contractor and Tridam, the licensee,” said Molly Fuller, District Ranger, Stanislaus NF. “I needed assurances from Tridam 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.” There may be additional closures this spring for asphalt pouring and completion of the road, trail and parking surfaces. The closures will be brief and intermittent, said Fuller.

Boaters will note changes at the bottom of the boat ramp. Although the ramp has been extended an additional 250 feet, the drought has taken the reservoir far below the bottom of the ramp. The bottom of the boat ramp is closed to the low reservoir levels because of rocky and deep sandy conditions hazardous to launching. Water levels would need to raise approx. 12 to 15 ft. before the ramp could be opened.

This project is the final stage of a 7.8 million dollar FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) relicensing. The recreation development is intended to mitigate the effects a reservoir has on recreation. The Tridam license is renewed every 40 years. The construction contract was awarded last year, and has been in the planning process for several years prior to construction.

“It really is a beautiful facility,” said Fuller. “It’s part of a larger recreational opportunity that I hope will spark the beginning of the public wanting to ‘Discover’ Beardsley.”

May 17 is the grand opening of a new campground adjacent to the day use area, Black Oak Campground and the re-opening of the re-constructed Beardsley Dam Campground with all new amenities and a campground host. Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating this new recreation opportunity in Tuolumne County. More information and reservations will be available at: http://www.reservations.gov.

For more information about Beardsley Day Use Area, contact the Visitor Information desk at Summit Ranger District at: (209) 965-3434 or go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/stanislaus/recreation.