The Eagle Lake we know today was created by fault blocking, so its no wonder that earthquakes occur in the region. On June 19, 1889, a substantial earthquake was felt in the region, which was followed by twenty-eight aftershocks. Initially, it was believed that the quake originated from Mount Lassen, but upon further investigation it was determined the epicenter was at Eagle Lake.
The most remarkable finding of this earthquake was the lake dropped by two feet. Yet, the water flow of Bunnell, Cady and Willow Creek springs experienced increased water flows. The Lassen Advocate noted these springs: “had a soapy appearance, feeling oily to the touch.”
Thomas Ford, editor of Bieber’s Mountain Tribune newspaper traveled to Susanville at the time of the earthquake and wrote: “Arriving at Susanville at six o’clock in the evening, we found things pretty shaky; experienced four shocks that night, and was told that had not been a very good night earthquakes either. . . . Many were the accounts or what happened since the shaky season began–such as Eagle Lake sinking two feet, the waters of Willow Creek being higher than ever before.”
