Lake Shasta

Lake Shasta has 365 miles of shoreline when it is full. In 2011 the lake was almost level with the trees. Three years of drought have lowered the level by 150 feet, to 37% of its capacity, just inches from the lowest recorded level, and the shoreline has shrunk to about 125 miles.

Old railroad tunnels and trestles, built before the dam was flooded in 1945, are beginning to emerge on what was once the shore of the Shasta River. Bridges which once crossed creeks feeding the river have emerged from the lakebed, now bridges to nowhere. New roads, have been created, just to reach the lakeshore. The houseboats moored in this arm of the lake are no doubt out of service now, until the water level rises enough for them to ply the lake once again.

And the sun continues to shine….