Butte Creek House Ecological Reserve

Description

This 320-acre property helps to protect the wet meadows and brook trout fishery at the headwaters of Butte Creek. At an elevation of 5,800 feet, it is a basin surrounded by a ridge system reaching 7,000 feet. The lower elevations of the reserve consist of wet meadow and lodgepole pine forest communities. The surrounding slopes support Jeffrey pine and white fir communities. These plant communities support a diverse array of wildlife species, including northern goshawk, spotted owl, Vaux’s swift, snowshoe hare, beaver, and gray fox.

For more information, call the North Central Region Rancho Cordova office at (916) 358-2900.

Recreational Opportunities

fishing  Hiking Trails Wildlife Viewing

Activities: Fishing, hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing

Facilities: None

NOTE: Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to the use of Department lands.

Refer to the Public Uses on State and Federal Lands section of the Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use Regulations (PDF) booklet for both statewide and property-specific regulations.

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You may not operate a drone on CDFW Lands without a Special Use Permit.

Area History

The Butte Creek House property was acquired in 1986 to preserve and enhance the site’s wet meadow complex and to benefit associated species. It was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1988. Being a seriously degraded meadow complex, the reserve fits a license feature which requires the restoration or enhancement of 100 acres of wet meadow. In 1995, there was a meadow restoration planting willow thickets.

Map of Butte Creek House ER - click to enlarge in new window
Click to enlarge

Location

North Central Region (Region 2)

Butte County

northern part of Butte County, northeast of Chico

Access: From Chico, head north on Highway 32 to Butte Meadows. Take Skyway Road east to Humbug Summit Road north past Snag Lake to the reserve.

CDFW Lands Viewer

Wildlife Branch - Lands Program
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090