Courtright Reservoir Area Trail Closures (10/1)
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2024 10:02 am
Shared on behalf of Pacific Gas & Electric:
PG&E Marketing & Communications | www.pge.com
August 13, 2024
PG&E Improving Safety of Courtright Reservoir
Access to Reservoir Restricted as Water Levels Being Lowered to Work on Water Gate Southern Exit/Entrance of Dusy-Ershim Trail Not Accessible Starting Oct. 1
AUBERRY, Calif. –Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is lowering the water level of Courtright Reservoir, on the Sierra National Forest, to work on the Helms Powerhouse intake and discharge gates.
While work is underway, access to the reservoir will be restricted. Starting August 8 a portion of the parking lot at the boat ramp of Courtright Reservoir is being used as a laydown yard for materials to support the work, however the boat ramp and some parking will still be accessible. Some undeveloped campsites near the T1 gate house will be inaccessible due to construction activities.
On Oct. 1, the gate on Courtright Way roughly 85 feet after the turnoff from McKinley Grove Road will be closed for public safety due to construction traffic with oversized loads. The trailheads for Cliff, Nelson, Helms Meadow and Maxon trails will also close Oct. 1, as will the Marmot Rock Campground and boat ramp.
Pedestrian access will be allowed beyond the gate, although hikers are advised to be aware of heavy equipment and machinery.
The gate closure also means that those using the Dusy-Ershim Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trail will not be able to enter or exit the trail from Courtright Reservoir from October 1. While the Dusy-Ershim Trail will remain open, it can only be accessed from the northern point at Whitebark Vista in Lakeshore.
The gate will remain closed until the regularly scheduled re-opening around Memorial Day weekend, depending on weather.
Reservoir levels are gradually lowering so crews can safely perform work on the water discharge and intake gate. After the gate project is completed, water levels will return to normal seasonal levels.
Courtright Reservoir is the upper of two reservoirs that are part of PG&E’s Helms Pumped Storage hydro project. The lower Wishon Reservoir will not be impacted. PG&E selected a year when energy demand is less and after peak recreation season at Courtright Reservoir.