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Lake Shasta History

Northern California was inhabited by several groups of Native American tribes prior to the arrival of European settlers to the region. The Lake Shasta region was home to the Atsugewi and Yana tribes. The Atsugewi Indians (“pine-tree people”) occupied the “rugged lava-strewn valleys north of Mount Lassen”

The Yana Indians extended to the southwest of Mount Lassen, and remained adjacent to the eastern foothills, depending on vegetables and acorns as their main staple food. Nowadays, this tribe is endangered and it is estimated that there are fewer than 2,000 Yana descendants living on the Redding Rancheria.

However, centuries ago the Native American population in the Shasta area was considerable even after the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, concentrating a large number of missions along the coast of California, region that mostly remained uninhabited for the following centuries, until the gold fever hit California in the19th century.

The discovery of gold in the 1840s brought to northern California literally floods of immigrants to the state, most of them gold seekers and miners. The lure of easy money through gold discovery and later gambling fever developed in nearby Lake Tahoe impacted agriculture in the Central Valley in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Farmers began searching for the plan to face the withdraw of workers and the problematic with irrigation and water supply. Then, California designed the Central Valley Project to control the Sacramento River floods, transferring water to the dry lands of the San Joaquin Valley, however, the state found itself unable to finance the project.

In the beginning, the project was not approved for loans and grants under the National Recovery Act, even when Harry W. Bashore reported the relief project to Reclamation, remarking that the Kennett Reservoir, later Shasta Lake, would be the cornerstone for the entire Central Valley Project. Therefore, California applied to the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (FEA) for grants and loans.

The FEA created the Water Project Authority, and a Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the House of Representatives was responsible for the suggestion of the construction of Kennett Dam, citing the national benefits in flood control and navigation on the Sacramento River, recommending involvement by the Federal government for $12 million in cost of such a project.

After a number of investigations and reviewing the plan was approved by the California Joint Federal-State Water Resources Commission, the United States Senate Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, recommended the plan to President Franklin D. Roosevelt

President Roosevelt approved the Central Valley Project on December 2, 1935. In December 1935, the initial exploration of the Kennett Dam site cleared out and re-timbered several of the many exploratory tunnels. Drilling on the area revealed ancient, re-crystallized, volcanic rock, and work crews began experimental washing and grouting.

On March 25, 1936, a cooperative agreement to coordinate the CVP and the California State Water Project was executed by the California Water Project Authority and the United States. Representatives of labor federation councils and labor organizations presented some objections by then based on wage scales.

The State Attorney General ruled on the case counseling future relations between government, contractors, and workers. Finally, Congress re-authorized the project in the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937, announcing the construction of the large concrete dam to solve the problem and provide energy and water management in the region.

Shasta County was immediately flooded with job seekers and workers who previously were enrolled in government irrigation and water projects in Western states. Hundreds of cars, tents, and cramped trailers were accommodated to serve as lodging facilities for the dam’s workers. The original project by William and Gene Hammans was distributed among 3 companies.

After receiving their contracts, those companies constructed buildings and water systems for the camp, that was finished in early 1938. L. R. Kronschnabel, J.J. Humphreys, Charles McConnell and Albert Rouge joined forces to purchase large tracts of land in the surrounding areas, focusing on the idea of subdividing their holdings.

By then, Reclamation Commissioner John C. Page officially renamed Kennett Dam as Shasta Dam, after Mount Shasta, home to the Shasta Indians traditionally living in the Siskyou County, thus a name having historic and geographic significance, while Kennett came from the nearby railroad way station in Sacramento Canyon, situated above the dam site.

After several disruptions, labor disputes, conflicts between constructor companies modification on-site, involving the Southern Pacific transferred its railroad tunnel for river diversion in 1942, World War II caused a labor turnover, when workers left to take more defense industry jobs or join the military the dam was finally completed.

The final concrete on the dam structure was laid on December 22, 1944. and the final concrete in the Shasta’s Vista House Power plant and additional complementary projects throughout the year of 1945, continue its development until the present

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Lake Shasta Real Estate

Located at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley, 160 miles from Sacramento City, and about 120 miles south of the Oregon state line, Shasta Lake City had a population of 9,008 as of the 2000 census. Redding, another city in Shasta County, had a population of 80,865 people in the same period, reaching 84,600 during 2002.

Comparing these figures with those of 1990, the population annual growth rate has been 2%, growing also reflected in the California’s great Central Valley housing market. Lake Shasta is located at the very top of this area, nestled between lush green mountains, characteristic of the Shasta County.

Real Estate in Lake Shasta County includes also other cities and towns, where demand or resale value has increased, such as Anderson, Bella Vista, Cottonwood, Dunsmuir, Igo,. Lakehead, Millville, Oak Run, O’Brien, Old Shasta, Ono, Palo Cedro, Shingletown, Whitmore, and both Redding and Shasta Lake.

The Shasta Lake Real Estate Market has showed off favorable sales statistics and real estate price trends. As of the 2000 census, there were 3,391 households, and 2,377 families residing in Shasta Lake City, were 3,732 housing units were found at an average density of 342.0 miles square.

Median income for a household was $26,275, while median income for a family was $33,010, with 20.1% of the population and 16.5% of families below the poverty line. The average household size was 2.64, and the average family size was 3.09. 34.3% households had children under the age of 18 living with them, and 48.5% were married couples living together.

Properties’ average sales price for March 2006 was $255,000 for a one-bedroom house, $184,275 for a two-bedroom house, $196,300 for a three-bedroom house, and $318,000 for a four-bedroom house. The average sales price per square foot was $164 $198, $150, and $167 for 1 to 4 bedrooms properties respectively.

Major Real Estate demand was for 3-bed properties, followed by 2-bed and 1-bed properties, while 4-bed properties had no significant demand for the same period. Median price asked for housing units in Lake Shasta was $82,300, while the State average prices was $151,900. Average cost for Single-family new house construction building permits $105,200 for 56 building in 2004.

Lake Shasta’s median value of owner-occupied housing units was $91,100, in comparison with the State average of $211,500. Comparing Shasta per capita income, the figures reflect $13, 678, against $22,711 State average. Also in March 2006, Lake Shasta‘s medium household income was of $26,275, while the State average stayed in $47,493.

Offering scenic views of the Lassen Volcanic National Park and Mount Shasta, Shasta Lake and Shasta Dam are a short, 5-minute drive from the Shasta Lake City. Other attractions nearby include a 3,200 elevation at Burney Falls State Park, 60 miles to the east of Redding, less than one hour to the east, and Lake Shasta Caverns, just 15 minutes north on Interstate 5.

Another fact that potential home buyers keep in mind when relocating are school facts, that in Lake Shasta are provided by the Gateway Unified School District, which Student/Teacher average ratio for the period 2004-2005 was 17.50, versus the State Average of 20.20. Graduation rate in Shasta was higher than in all the States with a Graduation rate of 94.90% while the State’s rate was 85.30%.

The expenditure per Student in the Gateway Unified School District was $8,384.00 and the State Average was $7,127.00 for the same period. Crime statistics are often compared when it comes to getting a new home, second home or vacation property. According to the FBI, crime index during 2004 was of 4.13% property crime in Shasta County, versus 3.51 in all the state of California.

From those figures, arson was 0.03% for both County and State averages, burglary was of 0.95% in Shasta County and 0.67% in the State, larceny theft 2.76% versus 2.12%. Motor vehicle theft in Shasta County was lower than that of the State, with 0.41% and 0.72% respectively, as violent crime and robbery also returned low figures with 0.53% versus 0.57% and 0.08% versus 0.19% respectively.

Regarding relocation facilities, there are a number of moving companies and relocation services specialized and located in Shasta Lake, such as Mega Van Lines, Unity Van Lines, Nationwide Moving & Storage, Affordable Moving & Storage, ACE Van Lines, Moving Star California LLC, All American Moving & Storage, VIP Relocation, Super Movers, and Movingcost & World Moving Services.

Lake Shasta has 18.6% industries providing employment, social, educational and health services, 16.4% dedicated to retail trade, and 14.0% in the fields of recreation, entertainment, arts, accommodation and food services. Shasta College is located 5 miles from Redding, and there are 3 high schools; the Central Valley High, Mountain Lakes High and Gateway Unified Community Day School.

Natural surroundings, population density and house value below the state average, makes Lake Shasta an interesting Real Estate Market to keep in mind.

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Lake Shasta

The Central Valley Project developed in northern California during the 1930s is the background history of Lake Shasta, a reservoir created by building the curved gravity concrete Shasta Dam between 1938 and 1945. This reservoir was called Lake Shasta, featured as a recreational boating area.

Shasta Dam is located on the Sacramento River, just above the city of Redding, measuring 602 feet high and 3,460 feet long. The greatest depth is 517 feet, and the total drainage area is 4,110,000 acres, with average annual flow of 6.2 million acre feet. When the dam is full, the reservoir contains enough water to cover all the state of Connecticut to a depth of 1.5 feet.

Lake Shasta is one of the few lakes in California where visitors are allowed camping along the shore and having a campfire, although a permit is required (Read the FAQs section). Another peculiarity of Shasta Lake is boat-in camping, with some campgrounds in secluded areas where only boats can reach.

There is a hydroelectric power plant located below the dam and one of the biggest in California. Lake Shasta is by itself the second largest lake in California, after Lake Tahoe, and it is higher than the Washington Monument. The lake’s capacity is of 4,552,000 acre-feet, equivalent to 5.6 km cubic.

Lake Shasta is also three times the height of Niagara Falls, and it is located 10 miles north of the city of Redding, bordering with the town of Lakehead on the northern shore. Another trivia fact is that Shasta Dam has enough concrete to build a sidewalk 4 inches thick and 3 feet wide around the world at the Equator.

Actually, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is investigating the enlargement of Shasta Dam and its Reservoir as a viable way to increase and improve overall water supply reliability, and the cold water for lower Sacramento River. Lake Shasta is popular for boating, fishing, waterskiing, and camping.

The lake has 365 miles of shoreline, mostly steep mountainous terrain with manzanita and evergreen trees. The confluence of the Rivers Sacramento, Pit and McCloud, in addition to other smaller tributaries, make Lake Shasta a popular fishing spot, mainly for cold water fish species.

Avid anglers can get good catches of carp, chinook salmon, black fish, channel squawfish, Sacramento squawfish, Sacramento sucker, brown trout, rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, hardhead minnow, bluegill, riffle sculpin, threadfin shad, green sunfish, golden shiner, brown bullhead, white catfish, and white sturgeon.

Lake Shasta offers several public boat ramps for boating, fishing, picnicking, and camping, some of them with restrooms:

- Antlers, exit I-5 at one-half mile Antlers Road, on the upper Sacramento River Arm.

- Bailey Cove, exit I-5 at O’Brien, toward Shasta Caverns Road, and one mile to Bailey Cove Road.

- Centimudi, northwest Shasta Lake City and near Shasta Dam.

- Hirz Bay, exit I-5 at Gilman Road, 10 miles to Hirz Bay, on the upper McCloud River Arm.

- Jones Valley, exit at Mountain Gate or Oasis Road, then 9 miles east to Bear Mountain Road, on the Pit River Arm.

- Packers Bay, exit at O’Brien, then southbound 1-5, or exit at Packers Bay Road one mile, on the Lower Pit River Arm.

- Sugarloaf exit I-5 at Lakeshore Drive, left two miles, in the Sugarloaf area of Lakehead on the Upper Sacramento River Arm.

There are other commercial boat ramps in the Lake Shasta area, including those at Antlers Resort, Bridge Bay Resort, Digger Bay Marina, Holiday Harbor, Lakeview Marina Resort, Shasta Marina, and Silverthorn Resort.

Lake Shasta is also home to different fishing events, such as the Annual Kokanee Power Spring Trout and Salmon Derby, the Tournaments and Trout Derbys, and the Shasta Lake Trout Derby.

For other events and fishing programs, you can contact the Fisheries Programs Branch, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, California 95814, Tel. (916) 445-3417, Fax (916) 445-4044, Lake and Reservoir Project, Tel. (916) 358-2847, (916) 358-2547

Other featured areas within the Lake Shasta region are the Salt Creek Area, with camping facilities and RV parks, the Gilman Road Area, providing secluded access to the McCloud Arm of Lake Shasta, and the O’Brien Area, located in the hub of the lake, and providing privileged central access to all Shasta’s arms.

Lake Shasta is not only considered the jewel of Northern California, but also the “Houseboat Mecca of the World”, with over 400 rental houseboats collectively from the lake’s 10 marinas, the largest fleet on any lake in the United States, featuring floating campers, pontoons, or what is considered the equivalent of a luxury condominium.

During summer, temperatures of the lake averages 77º Fahrenheit , providing the perfect setting for water sports, swimming, tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, canoeing and rafting. The Sacramento arm is the favorite and most favored for these activities, although all the arms have areas suited for most water sports.

Tags: Lake Shasta, Lake Shasta travel, Shasta Lake

Lake Shasta Hotels

ID 893: Best Western Hilltop Inn This unique AAA three-diamond hotel is located within the heart of one of the country’s most beautiful regions – the Shasta Cascade. Our 115 upscale guestrooms have been tastefully decorated. Hotel amenities: Free full hot breakfast buffet, complimentary high-speed wireless internet access, free business center, free local & toll free phone access, complimentary DVD rentals, free USA Today newspaper Mon-Fri, outdoor heated pool & spa, in-room refrigerator, guest laundry, ample parking and conf Stars: 3 ID 109398: Best Western Twin View Inn & Suites Welcome to Redding. Best Western Twin View Inn and Suites is the perfect hotel for business or leisure travelers. We are just ten miles away from Shasta Dam, the second largest dam in the United States, and the largest lake in California, Shasta Lake. Turtle Bay Exploration Park, the Sundial Bridge, and downtown Redding are also nearby. Whether your plans include business, sightseeing, or lounging by our pool and spa, our complimentary continental breakfast is a great way to start your day. Enj Stars: 2 ID 89446: Quality Inn Redding Located in the heart of Redding. Surrounded by shopping, restaurants and lounges. Complimentary continental breakfast. Free wireless internet access in rooms. Seasonal outdoor pool. Gaming, golf, lake and airport within easy access. Remodeled guest rooms and lobby in 2005. Pet accommodation: 15.00 per stay. Rollaway charge: 15.00 per stay. Seasonal pool open from May 1st to October 31st only. Stars: 2 ID 112821: Americas Best Value Inn/Redding Welcome to Americas Best Value Inn of Redding, California conveniently located 10 miles from Whiskeytown Shasta Trinity National Recreation Area and within walking distance of Redding*s numerous fine eateries. Our 2-story, exterior design Inn offers 68 nicely furnished guest rooms featuring 1 King, 1 Queen, and 2 Double bed guest rooms all with Internet access, hairdryers, extended cable TV with HBO, coffeemaker and workstation desk. Each morning start your day with our fabulous continental brea Stars: 1 ID 92013: Hampton Inn Suites Redding The Hampton Inn and Suites Redding CA hotel is at the heart of the golden circle of northern California. Surrounded by majestic mountains scenic beauty and fantastic recreation areas our Redding hotel is where you*ll fine everything you need coupled with the great service you deserve. Sure to please the busy executive or California leisure traveler Redding Hampton Inn – Suites hotel guests will enjoy complimentary On the House hot breakfast buffet served daily. Guests will enjoy beautiful amen Stars: 2 ID 23708: La Quinta Inn & Suites Redding You will feel a sense of calm the minute you enter the airy lobby at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Redding. Enjoy spacious rooms, a Fitness Center, and relax at our heated Pool and Spa, just some of our standard amenities. Enjoy our Free Bright Side BreakfastTM each morning, as well as free shuttle service to and from the airport. The La Quinta Inn & Suites Redding is only minutes from all Shasta County attractions, including Shasta Lake and Dam, Mt. Lassen Volcani Stars: 2 ID 98264: Rodeway Inn Redding Old Mining town with much outdoor recreation. Located on the north end of town. Walking distance to restaurants and park. 24-hr front desk. Guests receive a voucher for a fully cooked to order breakfast at the Su Casa Restaurant. This is a pet-friendly hotel. Pet policy, 20.00 per pet, per night. Pets limit two pets per room. Stars: 1 ID 108329: Comfort Inn Redding The Comfort Inn lies in the shadows of beautiful Mount Shasta, surrounded by stunning mountains in a pristine recreational area. We offer 70 rooms on three floors, interior corridors, we guarantee non-smoking rooms. Hotel features include a free deluxe continental breakfast, pool, spa and exercise room, a guest laundry, fax and copy service and wireless internet service. The finely appointed guest rooms and suites have several different configurations, each designed with our guests comfort in m Stars: 2 ID 27171: Ramada Limited Redding Ramada Limited Redding is a 63 room hotel conveniently located on Interstate 5, exit 681A, on the north side of town. When you travel to or through Redding your best available rate for lodging is the Ramada Limited. Area attractions include the Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Museums, Mt. Shasta Mall, Waterworks Park, Win River Casino and Gold Hill Golf Course. Just a short drive away is Shasta Lake, Whiskey Town Lake, Shasta State Historic Park, Mount Shasta, Shasta Caverns, Shasta Dam, Mt. Shast Stars: 2 ID 28205: Red Lion Hotel Redding Guestroom renovations were completed in March 2006. Adjacent to I-5, the Red Lion Hotel Redding is just five minutes from downtown and 15 minutes from the airport via our complimentary airport transportation. The Redding Convention Center, Mt. Shasta Mall and excellent golf courses are nearby with Lake Shasta, Whiskey Town Lake, Mt. Lassen Volcanic State Park, the Sundial Bridge and other local attractions just minutes away. Our 190 elegantly appointed and spacious guest rooms and two suites fea Stars: 3 ID 123955: Oxford Suites Redding Luxurious all-suite hotel-three star rating-conveniently located right off Interstate Five in Redding-California- Featuring complimentary hot buffet breadfast-evening reception with hot and cold appetizers and beverages Rooms feature Sealy Premuim beds-coffee makers-microwave-refrigerator-TV-iron and ironing board-hair dryer-commercial grade WiFi-data port- voice mail and free local and toll free calls – Complimentary USA Today – Twenty four hour gift shop and business center with high speed int Stars: 3 ID 126110: Baymont Inn and Suites Redding * 3-Diamond AAA Rating * Conveniently Located Off I-5 * Shasta and Whiskeytown Lakes within 12 Miles of Hotel * Restaurants and Shopping within Walking Distance * Indoor Corridors and Elevators * Indoor Pool and Jacuzzi * Patio with Sitting Area and Barbecue Area * Exercise Facility * Expanded Continental Breakfast * Wired and Wireless High Speed Internet Access in Every Room * Complimentary USA Today Newspaper. Stars: 2 ID 58414: Super 8 Redding Located in South Redding, a short drive from rivers, lakes, snow-capped mountains, museums, restaurants, shopping centers, golf courses and casino. We are AAA approved/2 Diamonds. We offer: Super Start Breakfast, indoor Jacuzzi & Sauna, outdoor seasonal Pool, 27″ Cable TV w/HBO, ESPN, Am/FM Clock Radio, Copy/Fax service, free parking. Stars: 1 ID 57926: Travelodge Redding CA Reddings Best Kept Lodging Secret Our Mission We are committed to providing our guests with standards of excellence combined with competence, courtesy and consideration that surpass their expectations. We are dedicated to hospitality and committed to the future development and continuous improvement of our facility and service. We encourage our employees to learn, teach, and grow, personally and professionally. Our workplace will be pleasant, safe and fun. We will fulfill our commitment to th Stars: 3 ID 17684: Holiday Inn REDDING We invite you to come and stay with us at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Redding, California. Our hotel is your gateway to Northern California®s Shasta Cascade Region, an outdoor wonderland of green mountains and forests, and provides easy access to local features including Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Castle Crags Wilderness, Shasta-Trinity National Forest and the Pacific Crest Trail. Conveniently locat Stars: 3 ID 18125: Howard Johnson Express Inn – Redding The Howard Johnson Express Inn – Redding is located just off I-5 in the heart of Redding, CA. A short 30 minutes from the hotel is the famous Mount Shasta and less than an hour away is Mount Lassen. The Sun Dial Bridge is a quick 2 mile drive from the hotel as is the River Bend Golf and Country Club, which is open to the public. Guests at the Howard Johnson Express Inn – Redding appreciate amenities such as Complimentary “Rise and Dine” Continental breakfast, High Speed Wireless Internet a Stars: 2 ID 118297: Americas Best Inns-Redding The Americas Best Inn and Suites Redding is a recent conversion to a franchise hotel. Its offers rhetoric charm with modern amenities. The hotel is centrally located in City of Redding, along the Sacramento River with a Private Lagoon. Its also within Walking distant to the Convention Center, Turtle Bay Exploratorium and the famous Sundial Bridge designed by the world renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The hotel offers quite, peaceful and natural surroundings away from the hustle and Bustle Stars: 3

Tags: Lake Shasta, Lake Shasta Hotels, Shasta Lake