SONORA, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled annual recreation area closures at New Melones Lake from Oct. 1, 2016, through March 31, 2017. These annual
closures allow Reclamation to perform necessary maintenance tasks and also allow for natural resource recovery.
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Closures in the Tuttletown Recreation Area as listed: Chamise and Manzanita Campgrounds and Oak Knoll Group Camp. The Tuttletown Boat Launch
remains closed due to the low water level. All other locations in Tuttletown will remain open year-round.
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Closures in the Glory Hole Recreation Area as listed: Big Oak Campground, Ironhorse Campground sites 8-22, 45-59, and 70-89, and Osprey Point Day
Use Area. All other locations in Glory Hole remain open year-round.
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Beginning Sept. 15, 2016, gates for both recreation areas will be closed one hour earlier, at 10 p.m.
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Beginning Oct. 15, 2016, through March 31, 2017, gates for both recreation areas will be closed at 9 p.m.
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Beginning Sept. 15, 2016, the New Melones Lake Visitor Center & Museum will be open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as staffing
allows, and closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Visitors should be aware that accessing the shoreline by foot can be difficult in areas due to the low water level. The water level at the lake
fluctuates frequently, and Reclamation encourages all boaters to use caution while navigating the lake. Some existing and new hazards may still
emerge as the lake’s surface elevation gradually drops due to continued drought conditions.
The New Melones Administration Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located at 6850 Studhorse Flat Road, Sonora, CA 95370. For additional information on activities, directions, pet restrictions, or other questions, please call the New Melones Visitor Center & Museum at
209-536-9543 (TTY 800-877-8339) or the Administration Office at 209-536-9094, ext. 0, or visit the New Melones Lake website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/index.html.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
