Watch CBS News

Despite Higher Water Levels At Lake Shasta, Perception Of Dry Lake Keeps Tourists Away

LAKE SHASTA (KPIX 5) – Despite the drought, California's largest reservoir is actually in better shape than last year. But that additional water hasn't exactly flooded Lake Shasta with more business.

"There's a lot of lake out here, and a lot of water out here," said Harold Jones, owner of the Sugarloaf Cottages and Resort.

For Jones, a fourth straight year of drought actually came with a pleasant surprise, and that's more water in Shasta Lake. "Being 27 feet higher this year than this time last year the same date," Jones said.

KPIX 5 first met Jones at his grounded dock last year. Now, the same dock is floating on more than 20 feet of water.

"And the two major things that changed, we had a good rain in December and Bureau of Reclamation is holding back water for the fall salmon," Jones said.

While the lake is up, traffic is down. "Yeah, this lake right now, there should be boats everywhere," Jones said.

"We're 20 percent down from last year, which last year was a horrible year," said Kevin Kelley, the operations manager at Holiday Harbor Resort & Marina.

"We are in survival mode, and it has been a tough run," Kelley said.

Why does business continue to sink - despite a healthier lake? "The economy, and the low lake level, and media coverage," Kelley said.

And it's not just the media.  Many people drive over the I-5 Bridge every day, and see the sign that says Shasta Lake. When they look down, they don't see water.  A lot of people are getting the impression that the lake itself is dry.

"I had someone ask me the other day - should they bring their boat because the lake was empty," Jones said.

"Once they get out here, they're like, what were they talking about? There's tons of water," Kelley said.

With a slow and costly summer winding down - people who earn a living on these waters have already started talking winter.

"We are hoping for El Nino this next year," Kelley said.

It's something that could quickly erase that notoriously photogenic bathtub ring.

"I've seen the whole thing fill up in 30 days," Kelley said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.