Progress Since the Carr FireSince the devastating Carr Fire of 2018, park staff and dedicated partners have been tirelessly working to reopen Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and rebuild damaged infrastructure. Although funding challenges persist and the full restoration of the park will take years, substantial progress has already been achieved. These efforts have brought back essential access points and revitalized beloved trails, reflecting the resilience and commitment of the entire Whiskeytown community. Here are some key accomplishments that highlight the strides made toward recovery and restoration. 
NPS Dozens of Miles of Trails Restored and ReopenedThe James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls, the most popular trail in the park, reopened on Valentine's Day 2020. Since then, other trails have followed suit, including Davis Gulch, Oak Bottom Water Ditch, Mount Shasta Mine, Crystal Creek Water Ditch, Crystal Creek Falls, and the trails in the southeastern corner of the park. 
NPS Rebuilding for Access: Trail Restorations and EnhancementsThe reopening of trails in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area was made possible through significant restoration efforts. To ensure safe and sustainable access, several footbridges were rebuilt, and numerous trail stabilization features, including retaining walls, were constructed. These enhancements have reinforced the trails' structure, allowing visitors to enjoy the park’s pathways with confidence. The dedicated work behind these restorations reflects Whiskeytown's commitment to preserving the natural beauty and accessibility of its cherished trails. 
NPS Dozens of Miles of Roads Repaired and ReopenedThis includes South Shore Drive, JFK Memorial Drive, Crystal Creek Road (from Highway 299 to the James K. Carr Trailhead), Paige Bar Road, and Mule Town Road. To reopen the roadways, thousands of dangerous hazard trees were cut and removed to reduce the threat of falling on people or vehicles. 
NPS Lakeshore Day Use and Overnight Areas ReopenedAfter significant burned tree removal and structural repairs, the most popular areas of the park reopened. This included but is not limited to: Brandy Creek Beach, Marina, Picnic Area, Boat Launch, and RV Campground; Oak Bottom Beach, Marina, Picnic Area, Boat Launch, Tent Campground, and RV Campground; and Whiskey Creek Picnic Area and Boat Launch.
NPS Shade Trees Planted for Day Use and Overnight AreasIn the fall of 2020, park staff planted oak seedlings in and around Oak Bottom to create future shade for picnickers, beachgoers, and RVers. Oak acorns had been collected in the park a year prior, and these acorns became baby trees at CalFire's L.A. Moran Reforestation Center before being transplanted back to Whiskeytown. 
NPS "Max," the New Wastewater Treatment System, Installed at Oak BottomThe Carr Fire's destruction of Whiskeytown's previous wastewater facility led to the installation of a new, modern system at Oak Bottom. Enter "Max," officially known as the Ax-Max system, which now serves as the park's efficient wastewater treatment solution. This upgrade marks a significant step forward in the park’s recovery efforts, ensuring sustainable and reliable wastewater management for the area. 
NPS Public Firewood SaleIn the year after the fire, where terrain and access allowed, park staff placed hazard and other downed trees in piles, or log decks. Through special use wood collection permits, the park then opened up these log decks to the public so that locals could cut and collect them for use as firewood. This program occured in February and March of 2020 and over 150 permits were issued.
Art from the Ashes-Seeds of Regrowth Community Healing ProjectTo support the healing process within the local community, Whiskeytown partnered with Art from the Ashes, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, on a public art project involving locals creating art from actual burned materials from the fire. In summer 2019, these art installations were showcased in several public locations within Redding. All entries and artist statements for the Seeds of Regrowth project can be viewed on the Art From the Ashes photo gallery on Facebook. You can also learn more on the Art From the Ashes website or watch the McConnell Foundation's six-minute video showcasing the artwork. 
NPS Redbud Recovery Community Healing ProjectAlso to support the healing process caused by the fire within the local community, in 2019, park staff and the Whiskeytown Environmental School Community spearheaded a "redbud recovery" project outside the Visitor Center. The project allowed visitors to write their reflections and thoughts down about Whiskeytown and the fire and then physically place these written comments on a statuary "redbud recovery" tree. 
NPS 15,000 Hazard Trees RemovedPark maintenance staff and contractors have removed over 15,000 hazard trees to date! Hazard trees are defined as burned or partially burned trees near roadways, trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, or other developed areas that are in danger of falling. The hazard trees have therefore been cut and removed to reduce the chances of falling on a person, car, or park structure.
NPS Tower House Historic District ReopenedThe park's signature historic area reopened in June 2020 after significant structural stabilization occured and after the main footbridge into the historic district was rebuilt. Additional work included rebuilding the white-picket fence around Camden House and Levi Tower Grave, which burned in the fire, as well as removing the dozer line scar from the front yard of Camden House.
NPS Dozens of Road Culverts Replaced and Rip RappedThe park includes dozens of miles of gravel roads, and many sections of these roadways washed out during heavy rains the winter and spring after the fire. To restabilize these roads, roadbeds were regraded, culverts were replaced, and rip rap, an erosion control measure utilizing heavy boulders to stabilize steep slopes, was placed in numerous locations. 
NPS Park Archeology Thrives After the FireWith the unprecedented destruction of soil and vegetation throughout the park during the fire, the landscape was opened up like never before. This allowed Whiskeytown's field archeologist, John Fable, to make some incredible finds. Dozens of additional miles of water ditches and pottery from China were just a few of John's discoveries. Read more about post-Carr Fire archeology in Things We Found Because of the Fire. 
NPS Thousands of Tons of Toxic Material RemovedBurned buildings created massive amounts of toxic ash and debris that could have easily leached into waterways and polluted. To mitigate this problem, immediately after the fire, Whiskeytown partnered with the National Park Service's Office of Public Health to remove 2,800 tons of material. Where materials were deemed not toxic, 1,154 tons of concrete and nine tons of metal debris was recycled. 
Learn more about the Carr Fire. |
Last updated: November 15, 2024