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Winter Water skiing lakes in California


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All,

We're trying to find a lake within about 4 hours of the SF Bay Area to go for a family water skiing trip in the next few weeks. Ideally it would be somewhere south so the temperatures are a little warmer. Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

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Nacimiento would be doable in a wetsuit. Although you would have to check with the marina to see if the ramp is in the water.

definitely and option although the daily temps are a little cool still. Might be slightly warmer in 2-3 weeks though. Whats it like to ski, wakeboard, surf etc... plenty of protected areas?

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Naci is still open. Just had a bunch of friends out there all week this week. I know they were in wetsuits. Stay in the middle of that lake though with how low it is. They have a campground but also have cabins, they are probably pretty discounted this time of year.

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Just had some friends out at Comanche and they said water was down but useable. We ride all year round with all the lakes here in N. Cal. Hopefully Folsom will be opening in a couple days, don pedro has plenty of useable water, Tulloch is pretty much full. Plenty of choices to ride. Water temps are about 45-50. We try to stick to 60+ air temps and ride in wetsuits with no problem. Pretty much anywhere will be debris mine field with all the rain we've had. That is kinda, sorta a good thing. Keep these empty lakes filling!!! Not sure you will find any of the more southern lakes with any warmer temps. Mid state wide will be pretty similar this time of year. Within 4 hours, you have about as far south as Pine Flat, and up north to Shasta. Gotta stay below about 2000 ft elevation to keep temps somewhat reasonable. So pine flat, millerton, Mc Clure, Don Pedro, Tulloch, Melones, Comanche, folsom, delta, barryessa, Oroville and a few others to sprinkle in here and there.

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A good bay area lake is Calero, it's small and shallow and more than likely is useable. It is right near San Jose. Another option south is Coyote, Uvas and Anderson reservoir.

Good point on debris, it is going to be a mess this spring. On positive side it is so nice to see all this rain and snow pack building, let's hope it continues! :-)

Edited by Fman
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definitely and option although the daily temps are a little cool still. Might be slightly warmer in 2-3 weeks though. Whats it like to ski, wakeboard, surf etc... plenty of protected areas?

Great ski/wakeboard lake. With the water as low as it is you would be riding middle of the lake but that wouldn't deter me. Just be sure to familiarize yourself with the area you plan to ride in beforehand.(Should be done at any lake you are new to really) Naci marks shallow spots with anchored pieces of dock foam. Once you figure out the main channel you will be good to go. They have a pay to use slalom course too if that's your thing. All these other lakes mentioned are great too but the water at Naci is gonna be warmer.

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If you are looking for a smooth ski lake with great camping, try Buena Vista near Bakersfield. It is man made so it is small and only abut 6 to 8 feet deep. This time of the year it is empty so you have your own private lake. The lake has been full all year as the farmers have reduced their planting so they have not used the available water. The prices this time of the year are

1/2 off. You will not need reservations except maybe on the weekends, but I doubt it. The main gate phone # is 661 763 1526. During the summer it is too crowded. But now it is great. I was just there 3 weeks ago and there were only 2 boats and 3 jet skiis on the whole lake. Have fun. Steve [email protected]<script data-cfhash='f9e31' type="text/javascript"> /* */</script>

Edited by ucontrol
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I've always been intrigued with Lake Tulloch. I drive by it when I go up to Sonora, or head over to Mammoth in the summer. Drove by there a few weeks ago, and it looked like the water level was 15' below normal....they always keep it full.

I'm not sure on the water temperatures, but I'm sure a wetsuit would be fine, plus there are some homes right on the water on VRBO. Winter skiing is so much easier if you can bring the boat to a dock and walk into a warm roomy house.

Edited by Joeprunc
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I've always been intrigued with Lake Tulloch. I drive by it when I go up to Sonora, or head over to Mammoth in the summer. Drove by there a few weeks ago, and it looked like the water level was 15' below normal....they always keep it full.

I'm not sure on the water temperatures, but I'm sure a wetsuit would be fine, plus there are some homes right on the water on VRBO. Winter skiing is so much easier if you can bring the boat to a dock and walk into a warm roomy house.

summer level is about 515. It does fluctuate 2-4 feet daily as New Melones is above the lake and it generates electricity. This time of year it is down at approx 500. this year they kept it lower due to the drought.

You can check the water level here: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryDaily?TUL

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Folsom just opened up. But if your planning a weekend I would go where you can rent a house and dock the boat! Let us know where you go. Once my boat arrives I'll be looking for the same kind of weekend!

Edited by mwfillmore
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