Monitoring in the North Fork Feather River Watershed

Recent Assessments:

Sierra Institute compiled and analyzed historical water quality data for Lake Almanor going back as far as the 1970s in some instances. The goal of this report was to: (1) develop a database of water quality data; (2) examine trends to understand the general health of the lake; (3) create recommendations for future monitoring. You can download the report by clicking here.

The University of California - Davis recently completed a report card that assesses the biophysical conditions in the North Fork Feather River watershed based on monitoring information provided by the USFS, PG&E, and others.

Lake Monitoring

Download the 2011 Water Quality Data

The Plumas County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, in conjunction with ABWAC provides oversight for monitoring. Due to the limited funds available for this project, ABWAC selected some of the important parameters that had been monitored in the past by California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the County of Plumas and Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

With the third year of monitoring, the ABWAC's 2011 sampling conducted by Dr. Gina Johnston adds another year of data to enable an examination of longer-term trends in Lake Almanor. The ABWAC Water Quality Subcommittee works with Dr. Johnston to identify what and when to sample to assess the water quality of the lake. Read the 2011 report.

"Dr. Johnston's work is a result of the community's commitment to maintain a vigilant watch over the lake," said Aaron Seandel, ABWAC member and director of the Water Quality subcommittee. “Funds came from the county as well as various community organizations around the lake because these communities are committed to monitoring."

Lake Almanor photo by Bud Turner.

Water quality monitoring at Lake Almanor dates back to the 1960s. Due to funding and other limitations, important water quality parameters have been monitored inconsistently over much of the period of record and by multiple agencies (primarily California Department of Water Resources and Pacific Gas & Electric) resulting in a disconnected database. Sierra Institute has collected data from various agencies that have monitored the lake over the years to create a comprehensive database for use in identifying and analyzing long-term trends.

Download Historical Water Quality Data: Chemical or Physical

Lake Almanor Monitoring Stations Map (PDF)

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Quagga/Zebra Mussel Prevention

Invasive mussels.

Inspecting a boat for mussels.

To maintain its mussel-free status and adequately protect Lake Almanor from infestation, the ABWAC and the Sierra Institute are creating a science-based and strategically targeted mussel prevention plan. The plan originated in ABWAC's mussel subcommittee and is composed of, among others, local real estate agents, fishing association directors, and PG&E and the California Department of Fish and Game representation. To effectively use resources, lake users and boater patterns will be evaluated to assure a plan is based on the demographics, use patterns, and characteristics of lake users and the community. A comprehensive prevention plan will include selected protocols, estimated costs, potential funding schemes, and data that demonstrate and support the program's effectiveness.

Additionally, ABWAC has hosted a special public workshop to explain mussel biology and proper inspection and decontamination techniques to the public and other stakeholders.

Under the Implement Watershed Management Plan, proposed projects include:

• Developing a plan to assess mercury pollution
• Ensuring Almanor basin needs are reflected in the new county-wide general plan
• Mitigating impacts of failing septic systems through education
• Educating lake users how to co-exist with Lake Almanor's grebe population

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