New Hogan's Reservoir, CA

[da.bell]

Does anyone have any info (I know you do Razz) about this lake and what to look for and avoid while boating? We are heading down to Acorn Campsite in two weeks and would really like to know what to expect beside knowing that there is water behind the damn.....

example: rock formations to watch out for, water hazards, ...








No, I am not a water hazard but could be if I continue to board the way I am right now. he he he

[ddutcher]

New Hogan is great, the water level is good right now so there really isn't anything to watch out for. Most of the under water hazards are marked with orange bouy balls, so if you see them stay away. The wind usually picks up around 1:00 and dies down around 5:00, the main body is choppy but you can find smooth water at both ends of the lake. New Hogan is Surf Dads home lake, he might be out in the main body doing his thing.

[da.bell]

Thanks for the input. I knw Razz has gone here but didn't know about Surf Dad. I will have to PM him to see if he will be there. Again, thanks.

[Razzman]

Actually the water level is low. Hogan is fed by seasonal runoff and as we didn't get much rain last winter it's dropping fast. In fact when i was there two weeks ago i stopped a ranger and she told me to expect the Acorn ramp to be out of the water and unusable in two weeks. This means you'll have to launch at the main ramp and drive around. Somewhat of a pain if you need gas as the marina is shutdown.

The current lake level is 671 ft. which is down three feet from two weeks ago, call (209) 772-1343 if you want lake conditions.

Watch the shoreline as there are rock spires that stick up in some areas and are dangerous. The Corps of Engineers is pretty good about marking obstacles with the dreaded orange buoy so watch for 'em. Glass in the mornings and evenings but does get pretty windy late morning to late afternoon. If your anchoring in the cove at Acorn watch the shoreline, i always anchor out about 35 ft. with my anchor buddy and pull the stern in with a shoreline. There's some areas with a lot of lake grass so watch that too, i was actually pushing out past it two weeks ago before starting the engine.

Great lake and a lot of fun, the back section is great for boarding, nice butter back there mornings and evenings. Your either surfing or tubing the rest of the time generally though. Have fun, nice campground and lake

I'm off to Shasta tomorrow morning for eight days, yeehaw!

[da.bell]

Thanks Razz... Not surprised that they are draining the lake.... They are doing that to Folsom but I will have to find out more info on the lake as to the amount of water they are draining. It's me and two other boats that are going and now it does not sound good..... I'll call.

[Domsz06]

are they draining all the water due to the drought down south?

[Razzman]

In Hogan's case it's more due to local agricultural demands i believe.

Hey DA, even low it's a good lake so i wouldn't worry too much. We'll be back there for four days mid July and four more early August. I may have to use paddles but we'll be there!

[Domsz06]

oh lack of rain and they need more water?

[Razzman]

I guess. I know it supplys drinking water to Stockton as well so in low rain years it gets low.

[Domsz06]

i see, darn drought, pump some water this way from OK and TX OK's lakes were like 15 feet low, and now they are over flowing!

[da.bell]

Razz, you are camping at Hogans the day we leave. Will probably miss each other by hours......

[Surfdad]

New Hogan is our twice weekly routine. The water level is low. The last 2 years were so good, it couldn't last.

The biggest problem with Hogan is that there are some rock formations that aren't marked well. The main channel is still 100+ foot deep, but just off the main ramp it's like a washing machine with rollers. The east most cove in the back past the narrows is good EARLY morning but once folks wake up and get out on the water that will be crazy busy.

We typically surf on the far south side of the lake, just across from the main ramp. I think the best advice I can give you is stay at least 100 feet off of ALL points. And keep a sharp lookout for old buoys that have been underwater for 2 years...they are hard to see. Also check for old fence lines. The BLM has land to the east and south, there are old fence lines that run into the water in a few spots...you do NOT want to hit those.

I do believe the fireworks display goes on this Saturday. Great show, but towards the evening it's rub rail to rub rail.

[da.bell]

Thank you surfdad, I sent you a PM to see if you were going to be there on the lake on July 13 thru the 15th....

I will watch out for the fences... That would really suck.....

[Domsz06]

fence and boat = bad!!

[Surfdad]

Very true Dom, but more importantly:

fence + FACE = worst!