Mammoth Pool Campground, boat launch, slated for rehabilitation

Sierra National Forest, Calif. — May 22, 2025 – There is some very exciting news to share regarding the future for Mammoth Pool Campground and boat launch on the Sierra National Forest (SNF).  The campground and boat launch had both been originally constructed in the 1950’s. It’s also well known the campground facilities there were a total loss from the Creek Fire. 

Southern California Edison (SCE), in partnership with the SNF to the rescue!  With extensive planning and design efforts now complete, and regulatory requirements met, the campground and boat launch at Mammoth Pool are now beginning complete rehabilitation! This project underwent scoping efforts which included discussions with local stakeholders and special use permit holders. It was determined that the rehabilitation actions were categorically excluded from requiring an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA) per the National Environmental Policy Act. 

The Mammoth Pool Reservoir has historically been closed from May 1 through June 15 to protect the annual deer migration, currently covered under Forest Order No. 05-15-51-25-04. The campground and boat launch have recently been turned over to SCE’s control to begin the rehabilitation work.  To complete this work, SCE will need one year for the boat launch-related work (until May 2026), and two years for the campground (May 2027), keeping in mind that given the elevation, there is only a limited window of time to complete this type of work during the year.  Forest Order 05-15-51-25-06 covering SCE’s rehabilitation work will be released soon. 

These efforts are part of a much larger program which includes the relicensing of four SCE Big Creek hydroelectric projects, Mammoth Pool being one of them, under a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC license. FERC is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil.  Previous locations rehabilitated under the same agreement speak to this program’s effectiveness and the quality of the rehabilitation.  Locations completed to date include campgrounds such as Rancheria, Lower Billy Creek, College, Dorabelle campgrounds and several others. 

Even better news is that designated roads, trails, dispersed camping in the area, and activities from the shore at Mammoth Pool such as fishing, are still available to the public while this rehabilitation work is ongoing. 

The collaboration between SNF and SCE highlights the two agencies’ collective commitment to environmental stewardship, safety, and improvements to natural resources.