Fall River Mills Conservation Easement

Shasta Land Trust is pleased to announce the permanent protection of 2,446 acres of recreational land with stunning rivers, waterfalls, and trails, located in the Fall River and Pit River region. The property forms an important connection between conserved lands spanning from the Pit River, Hat Creek, and Fall River, protecting over 21,000 acres of contiguous natural lands. The public can enjoy access to this incredible property, protected in partnership with the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council and PG&E.

The land is the ancestral territory of the Pit River Tribe’s Ajumawi band, one of 11 autonomous bands of the Pit River Tribe. The property has historical and archaeological sites of cultural significance, and supports the preservation of traditional plants used in ancestral practices.

The property protects substantial water features, including all of Fall River Lake, a 180 acre body of water, 1.42 miles of Fall River including the Fall River Falls, 7.29 miles of the Pit River and .31 miles of Sucker Springs. These freshwater aquatic resources are fed by a network of pristine freshwater springs that support sensitive natural areas.

Many recreational opportunities are available to the public, including swimming and kayaking on Fall River Lake, white water rafting along the Pit River Falls, and enjoying the many day use areas to fish, BBQ, picnic, and nature watch. The Lion’s Club Day Use Area and Community Park features picnic sites near Sucker Springs, and a baseball field and playground near central Fall River. 

Along the Fall River Lake is the 3.6 mile Floyd Buckskin Memorial Trail, featuring many spots to enjoy lakeside views both on the trail or at seated vistas along the way. The trail and surrounding oak woodland habitat was recently restored by members of the Pit River Tribe’s Ajumawi Band and inter-tribal crews through the Lomakatsi Restoration Project. Native plants of cultural significance are indicated along the trail with signs including common and scientific names, as well as the local Native language of the Ajumawi Band. 

The property protects a variety of habitats, including conifer forest, montane hardwood, chaparral, grassland, juniper woodland, and vital freshwater rivers and springs. These lands and water resources support many native wildlife and aquatic species, including Steller’s jays, quail, acorn woodpeckers, black bears, deer, and northwestern pond turtles. The federally endangered Shasta Crayfish have essential habitat protected within the property’s freshwater spring aquatic resources as result of a restoration project led by Spring Rivers Ecological Sciences, LLC.

The property protects scenic viewsheds along the Pit River, Fall River Lake, and Fall River Falls, along with views of Mt. Lassen, Haney Mountain, Saddle Mountain, Soldier Mountain, Burney Mountain, and Bald Mountain. The abundant open space of the property contributes to the beloved rural character of Shasta County.

We are pleased that the property’s incredible waterways, recreational lands, and wildlife habitat will continue to benefit our local community and environment for years to come!