Bullards Bar Reservoir

Bullards Bar Reservoir (also called New Bullards Bar Reservoir) is an artificial reservoir west of Camptonville, in Tahoe National Forest. It is formed by Bullards Bar Dam on the Yuba River North Fork, and also receives a portion of the Middle Fork's flow that is diverted to the reservoir via tunnels. It is 16 miles long and has more than 60 miles of shoreline. Its elevation is 2,000 feet.

Dam

The dam was completed in 1970 and is owned by the Yuba County Water Agency. It is a concrete variable radius arch dam and is 635 feet high. Its most important function is flood control, but it also provides water for irrigation, hydroelectricity production, and recreation. The reservoir provides water to power two hydroelectric plants, the New Colgate Powerhouse and the Fish Release Powerhouse.

Recreation Area

The reservoir is part of Bullards Bar Recreation Area, which is approximately 14,500 acres of central oak woodland and yellow pine forest plus 4,600 acres of surface water. Emerald Cove Marina contains a general store, gas station, boat moorage, and camping facilities. Houseboat, ski, patio, and fishing boat rentals are also provided there. There are two free boat launching facilities, with one launch ramp adjacent to Emerald Cove Marina. For hikers, Bullards Bar Trail runs along the shore of the lake. Picnic tables are provided at Dark Day Picnic Area.

Campgrounds accessible from Marysville Road are Dark Day Walk-in Campground, Schoolhouse Campground, and Hornswoggle Group Campground. Campgrounds that are accessible only by boat are Frenchy Point Boat-in Campground, Garden Point Boat-in Campground, and Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground.

Rules

The rules listed below are summaries of the more detailed laws enumerated in Yuba County Ordinance Code Title VIII § 8.50.

General Rules

Fishing is permitted. The reservoir is stocked annually with Kokanee salmon and rainbow trout. There is also a self-sustaining population of brook trout. Do not clean fish except at designated locations or on a houseboat.

Unless you are waterskiing or aquaplaning, do not swim or float farther than 100 feet from the shoreline, except in areas where a floating barrier marks a wider region where swimming is allowed. Do not use logs or hard or sharp objects while swimming or floating.

All pets must be leashed when within 300 feet of the reservoir or of any designated picnic area, camping area, road, or boat launching ramp. Horses and similar animals are restricted to designated areas.

Do not litter. Trash containers are provided.

Do not advertise or do business in the recreation area without a permit.

It is illegal to damage the plants or animals in any way. Do not cut, break, dig up, carve designs or messages into, or fasten advertisements to the plants. If you hitch a horse, dog, or other animal to a tree or shrub, make sure you do so in a way that does not damage the plant. Do not remove rocks, dirt, or any substance whatsoever.

Do not fire a gun (including air or gas or spring-propelled guns) or a slingshot in the recreation area. Do not fire a bow and arrow except in areas specifically designated for archery.

Motorcycles must remain on public roads or public trails. All other vehicles must remain on public roads. Parking must be done only in authorized parking areas.

Due to fire hazards, do not smoke in the recreation area except in vehicles, vessels, structures, or designated areas.

Do not light fireworks anywhere in the recreation area.

Do not build or maintain a fire except in camp stoves or fireplaces. Oil, butane, or gasoline camp stoves may be used in established campsites or picnic areas where other stoves are provided, or in other areas where authorized by permit.

Boating Rules

Boats must be sanitary and seaworthy and must not leak any oil, gas, or other pollution into the reservoir. If a boat contains a toilet or sink, the toilet or sink must be sealed or otherwise rendered incapable of draining into the lake.

Boats must be launched only at designated launching areas. They must not remain on the shore overnight except in areas designated for that purpose. If you leave your boat overnigt in any area, you do so at your own risk. From June 1 to September 30, the water level in the reservoir may fluctuate up to 1½ feet in 24 hours. Between October 1 and May 31, much more extreme fluctuations can be expected.

Motorboats must never exceed 20 miles per hour. Some areas have lower speed limits. In designated areas, motorboats must not exceed 5 miles per hour and must not create a noticeable wake.

Bilge pumps must not be operated except in designated areas or in an emergency.

To conduct an event on the boat racing or water skiing courses, you must apply for a permit at least 30 days in advance.

Houseboats can only be used with a valid annual houseboat permit and will be subject to an annual inspection (and with due cause, intermittent inspections also) for safety, cleanliness, seaworthiness, and correctly sealed wastewater and sewage systems. Sewage pumpouts will be performed by the Marina for a fee, at least every 6 months. Houseboats must be self-propelled, equipped with steel or aluminum pontoons for flotation, and no bigger than 60 feet long and 15 feet wide. They must be used only for recreational purposes. Houseboats that fail the annual inspection will be charged a second fee for a second inspection. Houseboats found to have had their waste hook-ups willfully removed or tampered with so as to discharge waste into the reservoir will be permanently banned from the reservoir.

Links

Bullards Bar Reservoir
New Bullards Bar Reservoir entry on Wikipedia
Wildernet.com: New Bullards Bar Reservoir
New Bullards Bar Dam Web Page
Department of Water Resources: Station Metadata: New Bullards Bar
Water Ski Magazine: Bullards Bar, California