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1942

1942 – 1945     Crater Lake Lodge remained closed during WWII.

1942      Under a grant from the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Howell Williams completes his extensive study of the Crater Lake region and his findings will soon be published.  While agreeing with Diller that the destruction of Mazama was by collapse or engulfment, Williams proposes to prove that the great void in the mountain’s heart was formed by the expulsion of molten lava, either from the Crater’s mouth or through fissures in the mountain sides, and not by subterranean drainage.

1942      Lake level has dropped 13 feet during the past 40 years.

February                1942      A ski bowl is located south of the Lodge and used by visitors.

April                        1942      Goodbye Creek Bridge collapses, along with the Annie Spring Bridge because the bridges were old and winter snow plowing had been suspended.  For 14 years, traffic is routed temporarily above the two springs on a hazardous and narrow route.

June                       1942      Fatal fall of man over rim near Sinnott Memorial Overlook.

July 25                   1942      Crater Lake Natural History Association founded “to promote and assist the Ranger-Naturalist program, to further the investigation of subjects of popular interest and to aid in the distribution of information on all subjects pertaining to the Park.”   Approval finalized by the Secretary of Interior.

July 27                   1942      The last day the Lodge is open until it opens after the War on June 15, 1946.

August 24              1942      Ranger beat an army team in softball, 11 to 5.

Summer                1942      Diatoms found 50 feet up on Wizard Island, suggesting a higher Lake level or wave activities.

September            1942      Annie Springs CCC Camp removed.

September 10      1942      New record low water level set for the Lake – 6,132.2 feet of elevation.  Maximum elevation of the Lake was observed on March 25, 1975 at 6,179.34 in elevation – a difference of 17.10 feet. (These levels may have been superseded in subsequent years.)

October 31            1942      Weather station at headquarters discontinued, due to WWII, until July 8, 1946.  Only fragmentary weather records are available during these years.

Season                  1942      Visitation: 27,656 – almost the same as in 1920.  (Online says: 88,568)

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