Lake Shasta natives

[Addicted]

I have a houseboat trip planned for the second week in August. This will be my third year doing this trip, and each time previously the lake has been nearly full. This year, with the water so low, I am concerned about there being enough lake available to make it worth it.

Has anybody done a houseboat trip on Shasta with the water level low? Any thoughts?

 

[Scottintexas]

@jdonalds isn't Shasta your home?

 

[Addicted]

Nope. I'm in lake Stevens, about 45min NE of Seattle.

 

[jetboat623]

Addicted, the last two summers we have taken trips with our boat down to Shasta, (also from Lake Stevens) last year was pretty rough also went in August, only one ramp open for the whole lake, but we still had a blast. There was still plenty of space for everyone, only thing we noticed is the lake gets rougher quicker. Our friends own a house boat on the lake, talked to them this week and they say its much fuller right now then the same time last year, who knows come August though.

 

[Addicted]

Thanks for the reply @jetboat623, this is exactly what I was looking for. I checked the level compared to last year and found the same, so if it worked out well for you last year, we should be good. The lake has been at full capacity on each of our previous trips, and it was actually difficult to find a decent place to tie up for the night, and have a fire (lack of beach). This year will be a different experience for sure.

Thanks again!

 

[Glassman]

Yes, I have. The last time we faced this similar situation in '04.

We found a great cove for our houseboats and the only problem was it kept shrinking. Every single day we had to back the houseboats off the beach and re-set them.

Here's a photo taken from the spot near where the marina was in the past:



We could watch the water recede measured by the lines on the hillside:



The Yamaha was the only one of the boats we towed up there that could make it down to the ends of the fingers of the different arms of the lake. It was eerie back there.

 

[Addicted]

Thanks for the pictures. It is crazy to see that much shoreline. I have not been there with ANY shoreline exposed. The vegetation was right at water level. I have been a NW guy my whole life. Lack of water is not a term I am familiar with .

 

[Freezer41]

It will be a different experience for you but this is still a huge reservoir. Like @Glassman said, you will probably have to back off and re-beach daily. These are the ramps that will be available. I'd guess it will be in the 140-160 category by August. Hope not though!

 

[Addicted]

It will be a different experience for you but this is still a huge reservoir. Like @Glassman said, you will probably have to back off and re-beach daily. These are the ramps that will be available. I'd guess it will be in the 140-160 category by August. Hope not though!

That is good info to have. Thank you!