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
Home 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
Sierra Valley Art & Ag Trail 2022
Come visit FRLT at the Sierra Valley Preserve along the Art & Ag Trail! We'll be joined by artist Kim Scott, Plumas Audubon Society, and wildlife photographer Liz Ramsey.
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A new Preserve headquarters and nature center is planned where visitors and locals alike can experience the wonders of Sierra Valley and deepen our understanding of the natural world and our place in it.
June 12 | Sierra Valley Preserve Field Day
Check out FRLT’s new West Entrance to the Sierra Valley Preserve. Take a guided nature walk along our botanical trail with a California Naturalist, learn about the valley’s history, and our plans for a future nature center.
May 21 | Bird Walk at Sierra Valley Preserve
Explore Sierra Valley’s diverse and abundant birdlife with FRLT and Plumas Audubon Society at FRLT’s Sierra Valley Preserve, East Entrance (Maddalena).
2021 Conservation Successes
Take a look back at 2021 with us and celebrate the successes made possible by our supporters. While it was a challenging year in many ways, we still have great things to celebrate in the Feather River region.
New Learning Landscapes Trail for Kids
On October 4, 2021, C. Roy Carmichael students and teachers held a special ceremony—a “tred-ication—to break in the newest addition to their beloved Learning Landscapes site, Kids Creek Forest.
Bucks Lake Conservation Story
Protected in 2021, Bucks Lake is a Plumas County treasure. Surrounded by public lands and the PCT, the PG&E owned reservoir offers exceptional outdoor recreation and its habitats support a remarkable diversity of wildlife.
Fire Recovery & Restoration in the Feather River Watershed
We've created an Emergency Fire Response Initiative—a 3-year effort that changes the way we do business in light of climate-driven megafires. Learn more about our plan that's already underway.
The Next Generation of Conservation Professionals
AmeriCorps in action in the Feather River Watershed. Two SNAP members served at FRLT to monitor conserved lands, wildlife, and implement new data driven practices.
