In the early 1900s when Great Western Power Company began the purchases of property at Big Meadows, Plumas County to transform it into a reservoir known today as Lake Almanor, residents and visitors alike found the company was a not a friendly neighbor. Initially, Great Western required a person to obtain a permit to fish and/or camp on their lands. This had to be done at there San Francisco office. In 1908, they changed their policy and prohibited fishing and camping on their properties at Big Meadows.

A correspondent to the Plumas National Bulletin newspaper of June 29, 1908 informed readers that there were places in and around Big Meadows that visitors would still enjoy. The writer noted,  “Among the streams in Big Meadows and adjacent thereto in which it is lawful to fish and on whose banks it is lawful to camp are Hamilton Branch in the canyon before it enters the swamp lands of the east arm of Big Meadows purchased by the Great Western Power Company for a reservoir site..” The correspondent continued since Prattville was the gateway to the National Forest Reserves there were plenty of nearby streams and lakes which visitors could enjoy.

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