MENDOCINO CO., 11/10/26 — Boaters can’t launch from either ramp at Lake Mendocino. The lake has dropped too low. In response, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed both ramps.
The Army Corps manages the lake. A status notice the corps updated Monday on its Lake Mendocino Facebook page says both the South Boat Ramp and the North Boat Ramp are closed “due to low lake levels.”
Lake Mendocino held 46,281 acre-feet of water Monday, according to the California Department of Water Resources. One acre-foot covers an acre of land one foot deep. A year earlier, the lake held 57,607 acre-feet. That’s about 20% less water.
The surface is now 723.4 feet above sea level. That’s 7.4 feet lower than on the same day last year. It has dropped another 2.4 feet since Oct. 27.
Day-use areas on the north, south and east sides stay open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the notice says. Kyen Campground, Bushay Campground and the Mesa Day-Use Area are closed. Miti Boat-in Campground is open to boaters and hikers, first come, first served. Overnight parking isn’t allowed.
The notice doesn’t say when the ramps will reopen. The Lake Mendocino office can be reached at 707-467-4200.