Tisdale Boat Launch: Open Or Closed?

The Tisdale Boat Launch Facility, located in Sutter County, California, is a popular destination for boaters seeking access to the Sacramento River. However, its opening status has been a subject of concern for enthusiasts due to occasional closures caused by rising river levels.

Tisdale Boat Launch Facility construction

The Tisdale Boat Launch Facility is a small-craft boat launching site on the Sacramento River in Sutter County, California. The facility is located at the Tisdale Weir, north of Knights Landing, and is the only boat access point to the Sacramento River from the Sutter County side. The construction of the boat launch facility was proposed by Sutter County and approved by the California Department of Fish and Game.

The facility features a two-lane launch ramp that is 32 feet wide and 152 feet long, with floating docks at the base of the ramp for easy boat access and loading. The parking area slab is 88 feet wide and 750 feet long, providing ample parking for boaters with 43 vehicle/trailer parking spaces. The cost of the project was $1.4 million, funded through a grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways using taxes on boats.

The construction of the Tisdale Boat Launch Facility included a 180' x 16-20' concrete boat ramp extending from the edge of the parking lot into the river. To address erosion and pollution concerns, riprap was installed along the riverbank north of the proposed ramp. A lockable public access gate was also included in the construction plans. The construction site was accessible via an existing dirt/gravel road at the south end of the Tisdale Weir/Bridge.

The Tisdale Boat Launch Facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and allows for the launch of two boats at one time. It provides excellent fishing opportunities for steelhead, striped bass, and sturgeon. However, it is important to note that the facility does not have any restrooms available for visitors.

Sutter County Public Works Department

The Sutter County Public Works Department falls under the Development Services Department, which was reorganised in July 2013. The department provides permitting services and public works infrastructure.

The Public Works Department is responsible for the Tisdale Boat Launch Facility, which is located on the Sacramento River, south of the Sutter County community of Meridian. The facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is the only boat access point to the Sacramento River from the Sutter County side. It features a two-lane launch ramp, floating docks, and a parking area with large pull-in stalls for vehicles and trailers.

In December 2024, the boat launch was closed for several days due to flooding when water from the river overflowed the weir. The Sutter County Public Works Department reopened the boat launch after the water levels receded. However, it is anticipated that the boat launch will close again on 11/20/24 due to expected high water levels.

Sacramento River flooding

The Tisdale Boat Launch Facility on the Sacramento River is located at the Tisdale Weir, north of Knights Landing. The boat launch facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, it was closed for several days in November 2024 due to anticipated high water and flooding. The Sacramento River is prone to flooding, as evidenced by the closure of the Tisdale Boat Launch and other sites in Sutter County due to flooding. Flood Inundation Mapping services are available to help monitor and manage flooding in the area.

The Sacramento River has a history of flooding, and its overflow can lead to significant impacts on the surrounding areas. In the case of the Tisdale Boat Launch, the Sutter County Public Works Department had to close the facility when the water from the river overflowed the weir. This is not an uncommon occurrence, and measures are often put in place to try to prevent and manage flooding in the area.

The Tisdale Boat Launch is an important access point to the Sacramento River, providing the only boat access from the Sutter County side of the river. The facility features a two-lane launch ramp, floating docks, and ample parking for vehicles and trailers. It is a popular spot for fishing and boating.

To ensure the safety of visitors and protect the surrounding areas, the Sutter County Public Works Department takes precautions when the river is expected to overflow. This includes closing the boat launch facility and implementing erosion and pollution control measures along the riverbank.

The Sacramento River flooding can cause closures of roads and other sites in the area, as well as impact nearby communities and infrastructure. It is important for residents and visitors to stay informed about potential flooding and follow any safety guidelines or closures that may be in place. Flood Inundation Mapping services and other resources are available to help the community prepare for and respond to potential flooding events.

Tisdale Weir overflow

The Tisdale Weir, located on the Sacramento River in Sutter County, California, is a critical component of the Sacramento River Flood Control Project (SRFCP). It is one of five major overflow weirs in the SRFCP, and during flood events, it is typically the first to overflow and the last to stop flowing. When the flow exceeds 30,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), more than half of the floodwaters are diverted from the river over the weir and into the bypass system.

The Tisdale Weir was built in 1932 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers atop an early structure built around 1911. It is an 1,150-foot-long concrete structure located on the east side of the Sacramento River, south of the town of Meridian in Sutter County, and four miles west of the Sutter Bypass.

Due to its age, the Tisdale Weir is in need of structural rehabilitation. The concrete is spalling (flaking) and exposing the rebar underneath. There is also a long history of fish stranding behind the weir when flows from the Sacramento River recede. This has led to the proposal of the Tisdale Weir Rehabilitation and Fish Passage Project, which aims to extend the structure's design life and provide passage for fish to the Sacramento River.

The project includes several components, such as structural grouting to stabilize the foundation, replacing the north and south abutment walls, resurfacing the weir surfaces with an erosion-resistant coating, and providing dedicated access for regular maintenance. Additionally, there are plans to construct a fish passage notch through the weir, a connection channel from the river to the notch, and an operable gate to control the flow.

The proposed project addresses key flood risk concerns and supports the primary goal of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) to improve flood risk management while also promoting ecosystem functions and addressing key stressors like fish passage barriers.

Tisdale Boat Launch parking

The Tisdale Boat Launch Facility is located at the Tisdale Weir, at the Sacramento River, in western Sutter County, California. The facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offers ample parking for boaters and day use. The parking area slab is 88 feet wide and 750 feet long with 43 vehicle/trailer parking spaces.

The two-lane launch ramp is 32 feet wide and 152 feet long. The facility cost $1.4 million to construct and was funded through a grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways, utilizing taxes on boats. The boat launch facility is north of Knights Landing, with the river also being an excellent spot for steelhead, striped bass and sturgeon.

To access the site, follow these directions:

• From State Highway 20: Turn south on Tarke Road. After approximately 2.8 miles, turn east on McGrath Road. Then, turn south on Garmire Rd. Go over the bridge and turn right into the entrance of the boat launch facility.
• From State Highway 113: Turn northwest on Reclamation Road as you enter the town of Robbins. After approximately 11.2 miles, turn east on Tisdale Road. Tisdale Road will go under Reclamation Road and continue westward for approximately 1.9 miles to the intersection with Cranmore Road. Turn right onto Cranmore Road. After traveling 1,000 feet, turn left (south) onto Tisdale Road. The entrance to the launching facility will be 0.20 miles ahead at the end of the road.

It is important to note that the Tisdale Boat Launch has been temporarily closed in the past due to river levels rising and causing overflow.

Frequently asked questions