Shasta Lake Level was full to the top from mid May to the end of June. The lake started to drop as normal near the end of June. At the end of July, it was only about 22 feet down. Today, November 17, 2023 it is now 55 feet down. This is 95 feet higher than this date last year and 125 feet higher than 2021.
These are amazing levels and also set us up for another great year in 2024. Even a mild winter would fill the lake but heavy rain is expected from an El Nino for this winter.
As of Nov 17, 2023
The Shasta Lake Level impacts the availability of boat ramps
LOCAL BOAT RAMPS:
Antler’s Ramp: OPEN $16
Best option for November/December 2023
Sugarloaf Marina Boat Ramp: CLOSED $20
Marina is now closed for the season including the boat ramp. They have a chain across the road. Will reopen in May 2024.
Sugarloaf County Boat Ramp: CLOSED/OPEN (Lake is too high, Under water). Officially it is closed but there is nothing to prevent you from launching. If you do, be careful as the slope is not very good for a launch yet. For large boats like wakeboard boats, we recommend Antlers unless the lake drops another 10 feet. It will improve as the water level drops.
Salt Creek Boat Ramp: CLOSED? (Closest for Retreat 8)
We have seen it open via boat. We don’t know the cost or restrictions. Aug 15 Update: Now only dirt ramp, might not be any good at 30 feet down and below. Use at own risk.
VIEW FROM HOMES:
Awesome in 2023! Full Lake! The views from the homes are all great this year with full lake. Retreat 1, 2, 3, 4, & 10 are all lakefront and Retreat 5, 7, 8, and 9 are lakeview. Retreat 6 has a partial lakeview through the trees. Fortunately, the Lake is very full! Currently we have awesome views of the lake (best since 2019) as the lake filled to the top in May. Be careful as many other vacation homes in the area claim to be lakefront, but you can not be able to see any water depending on lake level. Please scroll down to see hundreds of photos at current full lake level and other levels.
WALK TO LAKE:
100 to 200 feet currently from the 5 lakefront homes. Extra 100-200 yards for Retreat 5, 7, and 9. About 300 yards for Retreat 6. These distances will increase as the water drops as normal since lake is a reservoir. Lake is down 54 feet from the top currently (Nov 7, 2023).
SWIMMING AT LAKE NEAR HOMES:
You can swim in the lake below R1-R5, R10 and at the end of the street for R9. There is a trail from all of these homes but use at your own risk. As always do not leave children alone and make sure they are wearing a life vest anywhere near the water even if they are not going in. R7 is a short walk across the street to the lake but there is no trail/way to water without walking ~100 yards toward the market on Lakeshore or about 100 yards down the county Sugarloaf boat ramp road across the street. R6 walk is a 300 yards to lake swimming.
FLOATING ISLAND:
We have removed the floating island for the season. We will bring it back in May 2024. Kayaks and Paddle boards available year around at several homes.
TRIALS:
Many of the trails we created for the Daisy Lane Homes (R1-5, 9, 10) were under water due to the full lake back in May. We are trying to repair as the lake drops but you might find the last part before the water not yet repaired. There are trails to the water and to the marina. The trail to the marina passes by Retreat 1 and 2. More work to follow. Use at own risk and be carful with children and elderly. Always wear good shoes as rocks are sharp and watch for snakes.
SUGARLOAF MARINA:
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON:
Expect them to reopen in May 2024. Call Lisa at 530-238-8200 for more information
Normally opens Memorial Day Weekend and stays open to Labor Day for boat slips, gas, food and supplies. Walking distance from R1-R7, R9.
ANTLERS MARINA:
OPEN!
They are open and located up at their campground and cabins. They have different types of boats for rent and their slips might be less in price (but not next to homes).
Call them for more information at 530-238-2553.
NOTE: These Marinas are separate businesses and we have no influence or formal relationship with them. We can’t be held responsible for their actions, lack of availability and access.
The Shasta Lake Level was AWESOME this summer and expect to be the same in 2024. Nothing like a full lake. Although even a light winter would fill the lake starting at its current high lake level, an El Nino is expected to bring above average rain.
Normally the lake is the highest in late May /Early June and then starts to drop throughout the Summer and Fall.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
NOTE: WE CAN NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE INFORMATION WE PROVIDE. PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.
OTHER OPEN MARINAS:
The following are full service marinas with gas, rental boats, store, etc.
When the Shasta Lake level is within this range (considered pretty full or full), the seasonal Sugarloaf marina is a short walk from all but one home and the seasonal boat ramp at the marina is open. Experts expect the lake to be 100% full in 2024 like it was in 2023. This will make the rest of the summer great in 2023 and will set up 2024 for another full year.
Shasta has filled close to the top 4 of the 6 past years. Shasta Lake is not only the largest lake in California, it is also the main reservoir for much of the rich crops in the central valley of the state. As with other reservoirs, the lake level will vary through the year. Normally the lake is at its lowest level in November or December before the rains and then increases to its highest level normally by Memorial Day each year after which it slowly drops through the summer/fall/early winter. Although the lake might look low in some of the fingers, the main parts of the lake still have plenty of water for a great week on the lake even at 200′ feet down.
One good wet season can fill up the lake even when it is very low.
IMPORTANT: Please read the Blue Section before this section as it will provide you the current information.
Although four of homes are rare lakefront, the distance from each home might go from a stone’s toss to several hundred yards or more. In severe drought conditions the result can be an empty lake bed below our homes with only the Sacramento river running through it. In the past 7 years since we purchased Retreat 1 this happened only one time. This was 2021 when in mid August the marinas moved out of the area and the boat ramp closed later in August. This did not happen in 2022 and 2023 had a full lake as expected in 2024. Fortunately, even when it is low, unlike many homes on inlets of Shasta Lake, we almost always have some water and water views in front of us even at its lowest levels.
One good wet season can fill up the lake even when it is very low. We take pride in being very transparent and communicating current and potential conditions as best we can.
At 50′ to 100′ below the top, the Sugarloaf County Boat ramp is open and the Sugarloaf marina is normally in full operation (Summer Only). At about 80′ down, Antlers also moves their marina to this area giving you two marinas near the homes. Views of the lake change and the distance to the marinas and boat ramps are greater than when the lake is full. The photos below are a combination of local and main lake conditions.
When the Shasta Lake Level is at 100 feet below the top, Antlers and Sugarloaf Marinas are normally open and in full seasonal operation below our homes as well as the Sugarloaf county low water boat ramp. Please note when the lake is full, Antlers marina is 3 miles up the lake but at this water level, they normally move their marina to the Sugarloaf area providing you two marinas close by and within sight of five of the homes. The walk/drive is longer but still all in view. The first set of photos below are of the Sugarloaf area at this depth range and the later photos are of the lake in the main channel. Please note that these photos range from 100 to 140 feet down so they can look very different as 40′ fills in a lot.
Latest Update: Please see other section (to the left if desktop, above if mobile) about the marinas and boat ramps.
When the Shasta Lake Level is at 140′ below the top, the lake level starts to impact the marinas and the boat ramp near our homes. Although they may stay open to 150′ or more, please plan on driving to other ramps and marinas when the lake gets to this level. Bay Bridge Marina and Boat Ramp for example is easy to get to but you will have about a 18 minute drive. See marina section of web site for more information. The main part of the lake is much deeper and there is lots of water for your enjoyment. No issues at all, still bigger than most lakes in California when full. The photos below are of the area near our homes and the later ones are out in the main lake.
When the Shasta Lake Level is at 170′ down or greater, the area near our homes is a dry lake bed with the Sacramento river running through it. This is a great opportunity to explore and look for buried treasures on feet or on your ATVs. If you have an ATV…bring it! There are old tunnels, bridges, roads and much more. See our low lake treasures section of our web page. Since it is the bottom of the lake, there is silt near the river. Gray dry silt is ok to drive and walk on but if the silt is black, do not proceed as you will get stuck. Although the view is very different than a full lake, our guests continue to visit and have a great time. The first set of photos below is the area near our homes. The later photos are in the deeper main part of the lake which still offers great water sports and family enjoyment. At this level there is no marina or boat ramps close to the home. This has happened only once since we bought Retreat one 7 years ago. This was in the Fall of 2021. This is expect again in 2022 later in the Summer/Fall.
June 2019 FULL LAKE
© 2023 Shasta Lakeshore Retreat. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
