Why is Trinity Lake low but Whiskeytown Lake is high?
The main purpose of Trinity Lake is for water storage. Lake levels have dropped over the last several years in response to a high demand for water. Whiskeytown Lake acts as a pass through for the water diverted from Trinity Lake into the Sacramento River. Whiskeytown Lake is kept full in order to keep the water going to the Sacramento River as cold as possible. Whiskeytown Lake is drawn down by approximately 10 feet in the winter as a flood protection measure. Keeping the lake full provides excellent year round recreational opportunities and forms the heart of the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
