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image - houseboats on Englebright Lake
 image - Today's Lake Levels

Welcome to Englebright Lake

Englebright Lake is nestled in the scenic Sierra foothills east of Marysville. Constructed for the storage of hydraulic gold mining debris, Englebright Dam is a concrete arch structure. It spans 1,142 feet across and is 260 feet high.

The dam is in the steep Yuba River gorge known as the Narrows, holding back a 9-mile long lake with a surface area of 815 acres. The lake is unique in that it offers boat-in camping only.

 Englebright Lake recreation guide


Location:
21 miles east of Marysville on State Highway 20.

Mailing Address:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Englebright Lake
PO Box 6
Smartville, CA 95977-0006
Telephone:
530-432-6427
FAX 530-432-6418

E-mail:
englebright-info@usace.army.mil

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The park is open all year.

Directions:
From Marysville, travel east on State Highway 20 for 21 miles. Watch for roadside signs. Turn left on Mooney Flat Road and travel 2.5 miles to the park entrance.

Ranger Programs:
Group tours and ranger programs can be scheduled by calling 530-432-6427.

Day Use:
Picnic facilities are available at the Narrows Recreation Area. Each site has a picnic table, barbeque grill and lawn area. Enjoy a short scenic hike to the dam overlook area or along the less strenuous fishing access trail.


Please help us make everyone's visit enjoyable by:

  • Keeping your pets leashed at all times and cleaning up after them.
  • Building campfires in designated grills and not on beaches.
  • Being quiet, especially between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
  • Operating and parking all vehicles in designated areas only.
  • Camping and mooring overnight in designated campsites only.
  • Being a good neighbor and keeping a clean campsite.
  • Reporting safety hazards to park personnel.
  • Watching children closely when around water.
  • Reading the park rules, copies of which are posted throughout the park.

All areas are patrolled by Corps of Engineers park rangers and deputies of the Yuba and Nevada County Sheriff's Departments. If you need help, contact a park ranger or deputy sheriff or dial 9-1-1.

 

Recreation at Englebright Lake

Day Use:

Picnic facilities are available at the Narrows Recreation Area. Each site has a picnic table, barbeque grill and lawn area. Enjoy a short scenic hike to the dam overlook area or along the less strenuous fishing access trail.

Boat-in Camping: (Open year-round on a first-come first-served basis)

Camping at Englebright Lake is unique as all campsites are boat-in only and located along the lake's 24 miles of shoreline. Each campsite consists of a table, fire grill, lantern hanger and level spot for tents. Portable restrooms are centrally located in all campgrounds. Drinking water is available near each launch ramp.

Boating:

The lake provides plenty of space for the boating enthusiast, water skier or angler. Boats can be launched from one of two boat ramps located near the park's entrance. Due to narrow canyons and sharp bends, the upper 4 miles of the lake are not suitable for waterskiing and/or towing any type of inflatable device. Therefore, these activities are restricted to the lower five miles of the lake. A counter-clockwise direction of travel is strictly enforced for the safety of park visitors.

Skippers Cove Marina:

Skippers Cove Marina (530-432-6302) offers boat rentals, mooring, gas, sewage pumping and store facilities.

Fishing:

To the expert or beginning angler, Englebright means fish. Game fish such as rainbow and brown trout, large and smallmouth bass and Kokanee salmon abound in the lake's clear, cool water. Catfish and sunfish can also be caught. Fish may be taken from the shore or boat by bottom fishing or trolling with bright, flashy lures.

Fees:

The Corps of Engineers is now included in the America the Beautiful interagency pass!  For a one time purchase of $80, you have access to all of your favorite Corps parks in addition to all the other federal public lands and national parks for one year after the date of purchase.

Individuals 62 years or older can buy a $10 lifetime senior pass, which does not expire. All other passes and kids 15 years or younger are free of charge at all federal recreation areas. Senior and access pass holders also receive a 50 percent discount on campsites at Corps-managed campgrounds.

Be sure to pick up your America the Beautiful pass at any of our parks as the money is turned right around and invested in the facilities to improve your recreational experience.

Get details about the America the Beautiful pass series here http://1.usa.gov/1T6TRMt.

Boat-in camping (first-come first-served basis) Group picnic Day use
$20 - all year $50 - $75 per day (reservations required) $5 per day

 

$40 annual pass

 

Englebright Views

Life Jacket Trade-in Day
Life Jacket Trade-in Day
Youngsters beam with pride, wearing their new life jackets obtained in trade for used flotation devices during Life Jacket Trade-in Day, May 24, at Englebright Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District park near Smartville, Calif. The life jacket exchange was sponsored by the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
Englebright Lake overlook
Englebright Lake overlook
Houseboats moored at Englebright Lake
Englebright Dam
Englebright Dam
Cascading waters flow from the top of Englebright Dam
A great ride
A great ride
Personal watercraft find a great day for boating at Englebright Lake
Quiet cove
Quiet cove
Boaters on Englebright Lake have many quiet spots to discover
Fishing at Englebright
Fishing at Englebright
Casting a line on Englebright Lake
Houseboats at Englebright Lake
Houseboats at Englebright Lake
Houseboats rest on crystal blue Englebright Lake

Yuba River reconnaisance study

In March 2014, Congress approved $150,000 for a Corps reconnaissance study to determine what more can be done regarding ecosystem restoration in the Yuba.

Now underway, this study is a necessary first step to identify the scope of the issue, begin to develop possible solutions, and to identify potential cost-share partners who could participate in the more detailed feasibility study and ultimately assist in implementing the solution.

 Englebright and Daguerre Point dams fish habitat

 View photos from the study here

Conservation

   

 

image - one less spark, one less fire