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Shasta Lake, CA

Frequently asked questions

Shasta Lake, CA

The City of Shasta Lake, known as Central Valley or CV before incorporation, is a city in Shasta County, California, United States. It is the closest settlement to Shasta Dam and Shasta Lake Reservoir, popular tourist destinations. Its population is 10,371 as of the 2020 census, up from 10,164 from the 2010 census. 

Shasta Lake City started as five small communities named Central Valley, Toyon, Project City, Pine Grove, and Summit City, all of which came about with the beginning of the construction of Shasta Dam in 1938. Project City was built at the intersection of U.S. Route 99 and Shasta Dam Boulevard; a larger Central Valley at a midpoint on Shasta Dam Boulevard; Summit City at the intersection of Shasta Dam and Lake boulevards; and Pine Grove at what today is the intersection of Interstate 5 and Pine Grove Avenue.

The Bureau of Reclamation built the town of Toyon, first called Government Camp. Toyon was the premier community, built on 41 acres (17 hectares) of what was once the Seaman Ranch. By 1950 Toyon had two tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, a Community Center, green lawns, concrete sidewalks, commercial water and power from Shasta Dam, its sewage treatment plant, and its landfill. Initially, Toyon also had two large dormitories for bachelor employees. All the residents of Toyon worked for the US Bureau of Reclamation. The Bureau headquarters office and maintenance facilities were located on Kenneth Avenue, parallel to Shasta Dam Boulevard.

All bureau employees were forced to vacate Toyon by the end of 1964 when the facility was turned over to the Job Corps as a work camp as a part of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society. The Job Corps supervision ended in 1972. Toyon was subsequently occupied by local Native Americans who hoped to stake a claim and have Toyon recognized as tribal lands; this did not occur. Water and electric power were turned off after the Native Americans failed to pay a $28,000 utility bill. Conflicts between law enforcement and the occupying Native Americans continued, and a large number of the homes burned to the ground. The historic Seaman Ranch Community House and the large USBR headquarters building also burned to the ground in this era. Today, one metal storage building and the flagpole are the only remaining structures other than overgrown streets and sidewalks. The site is fenced off from Shasta Dam Boulevard.

Shasta Lake is located at 40°40′41″N 122°22′12″W (40.678167, -122.370003). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.9 square miles (28 km2), 99.93% of it land and 0.07% of it covered by water.

Shasta Lake focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Shasta Lake’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Senior Fitness, Mountain Fitness, and Shasta Athletic Club. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Shasta Lake, such as the Chamise Peak and the Bailey Cove Loop Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top Sites in Shasta Lake, CA are Shasta Dam, Oasis Fun Center, and Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark.

Population: 10,335 (2022). Area: 10.93 sq mi (28.30 km2). ZIP code: 96019. Area code: 530. Elevation: 810 ft (246 m).

FAQs

What is Shasta Lake CA known for?

Shasta is the #1 fishing lake in California, as there are over 20 species of fish in these waters: land-locked King Salmon, Rainbow/Brown Trout, Small/Largemouth/Spotted Bass, Catfish, Panfish, and Sturgeon, being the most sought after catches. One of the not-to-be-missed attractions on Lake Shasta is the Caverns. Park your houseboat on the shoreline near the courtesy dock up the McCloud Arm of the lake.  Explore the limestone columns, stalagmites, and stalactites that were formed by flowing water approximately 250 million years ago.

Is Shasta Lake, CA worth visiting?

There’s plenty of room to move on this 30,000-acre reservoir, the largest in California. Located 10 miles north of Redding, a typical summer day finds the crystal blue waters sprinkled with fishing boats, jet skis, inner tubes—almost anything that floats. Especially houseboats. Some 370 miles of shoreline wrap-around mirror-smooth coves are ideal for anchoring. Cast for bass, crappie, catfish, and sturgeon, and keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and osprey soaring overhead.

What are some fun facts about Shasta Lake, CA?

Shasta Lake holds the title “houseboat capital of the world,” because it has the most houseboats on any single body of water. Shasta Dam is the second largest dam in the United States. The Sacramento River, from Shasta Dam through the City of Redding is considered by fishing experts to be the world’s third best tail water (water coming from a dam). The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation offers free daily tours of its interior.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Shasta Lake

Senior Fitness

Mountain Fitness 

Shasta Athletic Club

Chamise Peak

Bailey Cove Loop Trail

Shasta Dam 

Oasis Fun Center 

Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark

House Boating

Visit California

Upstate CA

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