Paradise Lake is magical
My parents weren’t really fishing and canoeing sorts of parents (to be fair they were busy making a go of it in Paradise, and in education, while raising a family… all worthy pursuits and all fully time consuming). That’s probably the primary reason I didn’t visit Paradise Lake until I was 16. When I did go, that first time, it was with my ragtag group of high school friends: wise and wild children — the kind of people who get their knowledge from the earth and sky and water, and not popular culture. It was after hours, and we were on a vision quest of sorts, and it was an unforgettable experience. Thirty years later there is still magic at that lake.
It was untouched by the Camp Fire; as you pull in you can almost forget that such a thing ever happened. There are no burned trees, no once-occupied and now vacant lots, no insidious imposing of Scotch Broom over the native landscape. The approximately 250 acres of reservoir is still pristine.
It’s a quiet lake
Good for napping. My daughter calls it “reserved”, which is kind of funny since it’s a reservoir. The rules of the lake include no wading or swimming, no dogs, no motors, no groups of more than three children under 12 per adult. Mostly people go there to kayak, canoe and do some light fishing. Biking is allowed on the trail by the lake, however it’s really flat, there’s nothing technical, and it doesn’t seem like the place for it really. I’ve never seen a bike there. It’s not usually crowded, and nature holds full sway.
Fishing on the Lake
Before the fire we often went to fish there; my husband and daughter love the reliable source of bluegill and I love the peace. This past weekend was our first visit since the fire. We unloaded our canoe as we watched a family of four otters, one was a baby hanging onto mom, played not three yards off the launch ramp. There were ducks and geese all over the place, and an osprey circled and called overhead. As we floated to our favorite fishing cove, we passed a doe and her fawn playing in a clearing. My husband and daughter set up their fishing poles, and I got out to walk the 4.5 mile trail along the lake. It’s a smooth, easy trail given almost 5 stars on AllTrails. It’s not a loop trail, so before heading back I stopped to read my book on a lakeside bench. Lulled by the quiet, and the sweet smell of forest duff baking in the sunshine, I fell for a while into the mind-clearing reverie that can only be found in places largely unadulterated by humans.
Custodians of the Lake
The preeminence of the natural habitat at Paradise Lake is no doubt at least partially due to its status as a reservoir that provides drinking water to the local community; hence the rules as stated above. However, in June of this year, Paradise Recreation and Parks District (PRPD) replaced the Paradise Irrigation District (PID) as custodians of the lake. PRPD is keeping the rules as stated by PID until the end of the year, and then the PRPD may switch it up. As PRPD District Manager Dan Efseaff said in a press release with the Paradise Post in April, “We are excited to add this gem to our portfolio of park properties...adding recreation opportunities at Paradise Lake to the PRPD suite of properties and recreation opportunities aligns with our vision of becoming a destination recreation district.” They are taking input, so the public is encouraged to contact PRPD to tell them what folks should be able to do at the lake. Personally, I’d love to see paddle boards allowed. It’s the perfect place. Rentals and reservations could even generate some funds. The ‘no body contact’ rule is a barrier, but not an insurmountable one.
Reservior Rules
Paradise is in a state of flux where normal rules don’t necessarily apply. One could argue that much of the water still piped from the lake is currently not used for drinking. Although many pipelines are no longer under advisory from the fire, everyone I know is still using bottled water for drinking. As to California law that was originally created by the state in 1970 in response to concerns regarding cryptosporidium resulting from studies commissioned by the state water project, the banning of bodily contact in reservoirs used for drinking water is somewhat outdated. The rules were created before the filtration system requirements of the 1990s, and water treatment is better now than it was in the 70s. It is possible to apply for and get an exception through the California legislature; the most recent was Bear Lake in 2013. It’s also worth noting that other states don’t necessarily ban swimming in their drinking water reservoirs, and it doesn’t seem to be a huge issue.
Revisiting the Plan
Redefining what the lake has to offer is something to consider in a time when Paradise is remaking itself. Paradise Lake is, after all, arguably the most accessible option for aquatic recreation on the Ridge. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not at all that sure allowing full recreation is the way to go (I’m wholly against permitting motorized recreation for example — the lake is far too small) and I’m not even sure swimming is a good idea. In addition to the issue of cryptosporidium, I’d hate to see the serenity presently on offer overrun with people out to have a hootin’ and hollerin’ good time. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there are other places on the Ridge that provide that venue. However, an easily accessible recreational lake is a huge asset to a community — something Paradise might want to capitalize on right now. Ultimately, the PRPD, along with the PID, the state, and hopefully the public have the final say.
What do you value about Paradise Lake?
Do we need a lake in town that is fully accessible for all recreation including swimming?
Do we keep the restrictions as they are?
My two cents, for what it’s worth: I’m hoping for a place in the middle — a place where we can more fully tap into the recreational potential of Paradise Lake and yet still keep the magic.
~Sarah Peterson Young
Call/write/email your ideas about the future of Paradise Lake to PRPD.
Call 530-872-6393 or email to sign up to volunteer to care for Paradise Lake.