Activities

                    Threat to Lake Almanor and Butt Valley Reservoir

A diverse coalition of Northern California residents and the Almanor Fishing Association is taking on the role of
environmental protector by opposing a proposal to withdraw huge quantities of cold water from 90-year old Lake Almanor.
Serious damage to the environment and fishery at Lake Almanor and the nearby Butt Valley Reservoir will occur. Both these
lakes have developed reputations for trophy Rainbow Trout and German Brown.

In the case of Butt Valley Reservoir, trophy trout there feed on the pond smelt that pass through the Prattville intake tunnel.
The thermal curtain would severely reduce the pond smelt and have a negative impact on trout food supply in the reservoir.
Also, PG&E intends to install two thermal curtains to hold the cold water pumped from Lake Almanor which could possibly
damage not only the fishery but the very important insect hatches and lake environment.

At Lake Almanor, the removal of cold water – up to 50% during the summer months according to PG&E – would push the
“thermocline” (where trout favor the temperature) down about 10 feet, forcing the salmonids (trout & salmon) into an area
nearer the bottom where the dissolved oxygen is inadequate. Currently, when the lake temperatures increase, the fish
migrate to the colder springs and into the rivers flowing into the lake at the north and northwest ends of the lake. The studies
done in June reported that even now dead salmonids are seen near springs, leading to concerns that the area is already
insufficient to support the fish migrating to seek colder water during summer. The lakes’ famous and very important “hex
hatch” could be compromised.

          THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER YET!!!!!       BUT WE'RE WINNING WITH YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!

For Up-To-Date Information: www.savelakealmanor.org

Fish Cage Rearing Program

The AFA's ongoing Fish Rearing Cage Program is now in its 18th year. The picture
below left shows one of our hardy volunteers feeding the fish.   The picture on the
right shows the floating cages and their feeding hoppers at their anchor site at
Lassen View Resort in the Hamilton Branch.

DFG will again deliver 50,000 Eagle Lake Trout to the Almanor Fishing Association
at Lassen View Resort for the fish cage program. The fish will be transferred from
the truck to a transfer cage and then to the holding cages where they will remain for
the winter. See picture below on right.   AFA volunteers will then feed the fish on a
daily basis throughout the winter.   When the fish are delivered, they average 4-6
inches long. When they are released starting in May, they are usually 11 to 14
inches long.   The cages are then cleaned and remain anchored in the Hamilton
Branch to await next years' delivery.

To date, over 900,000 Eagle Lake Trout have been released into Lake Almanor by the
Almanor Fishing Association's Fish Cage Rearing Program. The Department of Fish
and Game also plants an average of 225,000 German Brown, Eagle Lake Trout and
King Salmon yearly at different locations around Lake Almanor.

See pictures of our volunteers at work on our Photo page.

Hamilton Branch Public Fishing
Access Area

One of the AFA's biggest projects of 2003 was the
completion of the Hamilton Branch Public Fishing
Access Area. This project was begun in 2002 and
was completed in November 2003. This area of the
Hamilton Branch is one of the most popular fishing
areas for anglers and their families. This site is
located at the intersection of Hwy. 147 and County
Road A-13 at the northeast corner of Lake Almanor.

A rocked parking lot (shown on right) with picnic tables
and restrooms (shown on right) which are ADA
approved, are now available for fishermen and
picnickers alike. An upgraded trail leading to the
fishing area has also been provided.

We hope the anglers and their families using this Day
Use Area will help us keep the area and creekside
clean, fire-safe and trash free.

Almanor Fishing Association Annual Picnic

We also sponsor a yearly Family Picnic with a great BBQ'd steak dinner (or hot dogs for the kids) at
Recreation Area One in the Lake Almanor Country Club.

2008's picnic was a great success with over 300 people attending.
Everyone especially enjoyed our drawing.

Mark your calendar for 2009's AFA Family Picnic to be held on Saturday, August 29, 2009

CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL LIMNOLOGY PROGRAM

The Almanor Fishing Association, in conjunction with the Chester High School Fish
Hatchery Program, are working to be able to plant naturally spawned eggs from Lake
Almanor rainbow trout back into the lake. The students will harvest the eggs in the
spring, incubate and hatch the eggs at the schools' hatchery. The fingerlings will then
be planted back into Lake Almanor. Our Association and the local community have
raised the funds to enable the Chester High School to purchase a generator and other
needed equipment to support the hatchery/lab.

It's well worth the trip to visit the school and see this program in action.