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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Don Pedro water level?

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kbq
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/24/2009 : 11:04:10

The Admiral and I are thinking of pulling the boat from SF Bay this spring and planting it for several months at Don Pedro. While I can look up the water level, don't know what that means in terms of actual boating.

So: can anyone comment on sailing conditions? (Hey, Yahoo!).

Kevin
wait for me
250wk

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2009 : 12:19:46

I'm in Tennessee so I don't know what lake conditions are like in Calif. Is this a lake that gets pulled down low in winter and refilled with snow run-off in the spring? Looking at the lake water level data online for Don Pedro has me a bit concerned. Full pool elevation is 830 feet above sea level. For the last month, it has been in the 739 to 748 range. That does not sound good. I would guess that there is a lot of shoreline exposed. Have you been up to look at the lake recently?

Edited by - dmpilc on 02/24/2009 12:43:39

Cloudveil
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2009 : 15:48:40

Hey Kevin - We had our C25 on Don Pedro two summers ago. With all
the weather we have been having, the lake level should be good by
April-May. Keep in mind Don Pedro is very HOT HOT HOT in the
summer. Also, weekends are nuts with all the houseboats, speedboats, and alcohol.
Cloudveil

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Deltarat
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2009 : 00:26:41

What are the winds like on Don Pedro? Last year the admiral and I had our other sailboat (17' Vagabond) on New Melones it was beautiful, but the wind was very very fluky and light.

Edited by - on

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
843 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2009 : 02:22:53

Kevin,

Don Pedro and New Melones are too hot for me.
I recommend Clear Lake. It's a natural, cooler and more breeze.

Is anyone interested in the National Regatta at the Berkeley Yacht Club this year?

Edited by - on

kbq
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2009 : 14:58:56

David - Yeah, it's a reservoir, and there's often a lot of shoreline exposed. When it gets low, some areas get rather restricted - and that's what I was after. Headed up this weekend, probably, to take a look. The issue is that to see the areas where there might be problems really require you to be out in your boat...

Cloudveil - we've had the boat up there quite a few times over the last several years. Been there when the water is over 80... and the air much warmer! Evenings are great, though.

Deltarat - never sailed at New Melones; I'd like to someday. Don Pedro is often light and fluky, but afternoons can pick up, and late afternoon and early evening can be a lot of fun - especially on the "main" part of the lake by the dam.

Russ - Clear Lake is fun, but the wind-driven waves at some of the docks can be a pain. So can the drunks, especially cops who like to run over sailboats at night, and the "green crud"... :) Bottom line, though, is that Don Pedro is just over an hour away for us.

I know that some forum members keep their boats at Don Pedro - or at least there used to be a couple - so that's why I was asking here...

Kevin
wait for me
250wk

Edited by - kbq on 02/26/2009 15:01:09

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2009 : 16:56:46

Kevin, It has been so long since my last post here I had forgotten my password!! I still lurk here and I am glad to hear from you.

Lake Don Pedro is so darned deep that the 90 foot drop in level never really effected the sailing. At full capacity the lake is over 400 feet deep for at least the first 5 miles up river. From there on up it is still hecka deep. It does tend to start narrowing down though. Those long easy weather legs start having a few land masses (islands, points, etc) get in the way. This past summer there was a marked lack of crazies due to the cost of fuel. All the motorheads came up on the usual holidays but on the off weekends, and of course weekdays, it was actually fairly quiet. As you mentioned, when the Delta Breeze kicks on at 3pm the sailing is fantastic and the water is warm, clear and deep.

We pulled Yahoo out of the slip at the end of December for a full-on bottom job and don't expect to be back in the lake until May. The marina continues to think that I am made of gold and raised the slip fee to almost $200/month. No showers, poor portable water, poor to no electricity and a sour disposition all inclusive. Three children in college are more thankful for the help.

Hey, let's head for Long Beach and Catalina Island this summer!!!

Edited by - on

kbq
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2009 : 11:45:08

Hey, Ed - good to see you! The Admiral has pretty much decided to stay down at Marina Bay Yacht Harbor, and sail the Bay this summer.

Catalina sounds like a blast: if I could convince her that no one would drown...

Kevin
wait for me
250wk

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.