About Mountain Meadows
Protecting vital natural and cultural resources
Fast Facts
- 7,058 acres above Lake Almanor, near Westwood
- Protected by Conservation Easement in 2018
- Protected for: Water, Climate resilience, Wildlife, Maidu homelands, Recreation
- Rare or threatened species: 22
- Landowner: Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Water & Natural Resources
Cradled between the Sierra and the Cascade ranges at an elevation of 5,000 feet, the Mountain Meadows Basin forms the headwaters of the Hamilton Branch of the North Fork Feather River, above Lake Almanor. Mountain Meadows Reservoir (also known as Walker Lake) is a 100+ year old scenic reservoir fringed with marsh, meadowlands, and forest. The 7,058-acre property is a rich ecosystem nourished by the reservoir and multiple spring-fed creeks—including a 5 mile reach of Hamilton Branch—that provides climate-resilient habitat for a diverse array of life.
Photo by Betty Bishop
Photo by Jessica Murgia-Compton
Photo by Betty Bishop
Photo by Colby Elliott
Flora & Fauna
Mountain Meadows is within the Pacific Flyway and is part of the Audubon-designated Lake Almanor Important Bird Area, supporting thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds each year. It provides habitat for 22 rare or threatened species including:
- Greater Sandhill Crane, Western and Clark’s Grebe, Willow Flycatcher, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Black Tern, and American White Pelican
- Mammals like Pacific Fisher
- Rare plants like Tall Alpine-aster
The Hamilton Branch of the North Fork Feather River supports a popular fishery of native-born and planted trout.
Culture & History
Mountain Meadows is an integral part of the creation story of the Mountain Maidu people. The Maidu have continuously practiced their unique cultural traditions in the region including land stewardship for ecological health, medicines, and other life-giving resources for thousands of years. The conservation easement protects important historical cultural resources, as well as ongoing gathering and ceremony.
Working together to protect Mountain Meadows
The Mountain Meadows property is owned and managed by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). The conservation easement FRLT holds ensures that the property will not be subdivided or developed in the future. Mountain Meadows was conserved in partnership with the Pacific Forest & Watershed Lands Stewardship Council, PG&E, and Mountain Meadows Conservancy, with support from the Bella Vista Foundation, Firedoll Foundation, Mellam Family Foundation, Morgan Family Foundation, Northern Sierra Partnership, and FRLT members.
The Mountain Meadows conservation easement is part of a larger effort to conserve 43,000+ acres of PG&E watershed lands in the Almanor Basin/North Fork Feather River region. It is the first of nine conservation easements that FRLT will hold on PG&E lands. It represents 16+ years of work to establish a mechanism to conserve these key watershed lands for public benefit.
Now, more than ever, we need your support
Help us protect critical Feather River headwaters and habitats
Stewardship of Mountain Meadows
Mountain Meadows is owned and managed by Pacific Gas & Electric Company. As the conservation easement holder, FRLT meets with PG&E annually about management plans and potential impacts on its special resources, and visits the property to monitor that the terms of the easement are being upheld.
Recreation & Access
Mountain Meadows offers wonderful 4-season recreation opportunities like kayaking/canoeing and birding, fishing and hunting, ice skating and cross-country skiing, and photography. Public access is at the boating ramp at Indian Ole Dam, via Indian Ole Road, which is accessible from County Road A21, approximately 1.5 miles west of Westwood. Mountain Meadows also has walking access from the town of Westwood through FRLT’s recently purchased and conserved Mountain Meadows Gateway Preserve.
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Lake Almanor Region Properties Conserved
101 Ranch
Conservation FocusLake Almanor
Conservation FocusWarner Valley
Conservation FocusMaidu Cemetery
Conservation FocusHome Ranch
Conservation FocusMaidu Wetlands
Conservation FocusButt Valley Reservoir
Conservation FocusMaidu Trail
Conservation FocusMaidu Forest
Conservation FocusTásmam Koyóm (Humbug Valley)
Conservation FocusMountain Meadows Reservoir
Conservation FocusMountain Meadows Gateway Preserve
Conservation FocusOlsen Barn Meadow
Conservation Focus
Mountain Meadows Reservoir is my favorite little slice of paradise next to Westwood. I feel extremely fortunate to have access for photography and other recreation.
—Jessica Murgia-Compton, FRLT member
You Can Count On Us
As a nationally accredited land trust, we are built to last. We leverage your donations with state, federal, and foundation dollars and strategic partnerships to achieve the greatest possible impact for the lands, waters, and people of the Feather River region. You can count on us to make careful and effective use of your support.
More Stories from FRLT
May 4 | Boating, Birding, and Botany in Sierra Valley
Wildlife biologist Paul Hardy will lead a kayaking excursion through Sierra Valley wetlands to bird the Preserve!
May 2 | Birding and Photography Workshop
Join us for a bird walk in the morning, then a presentation about photographing birds.
May 24 | Birding by Ear with Daniel Edelstein
Join us on the land and improve your birding-by-ear ID skills with Daniel Edelstein!
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Join instructor Cindy Noble for an afternoon of nature-based yoga!
2024 Conservation Successes
Take a look back at 2024 with us and celebrate all you helped make possible in the Feather River Watershed.
FRLT Nature Journaling Club
Join FRLT's new Nature Journaling Club as we visit each of FRLT's five public preserves!
Home & 101 Ranch Conservation Story
Home & 101 Ranches, owned by timber company Sierra Pacific Industries, are now protected with conservation easements.
Impact Reports
From protecting headwaters and biodiversity to enhancing access to nature, learn what our supporters make possible.
2023 Conservation Successes
Take a look back at 2023 with us and celebrate all you helped make possible this year in the Feather River Watershed.
