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West Coast Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Licensed Hydroelectric Projects: Sacramento River

Upper South Fork Battle Creek, Battle and Butte Creek, West Branch Feather, McCloud, and Pit Rivers, California.

West Coast

Table of Contents

Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project (P-1121)

Battle Creek, California

Project Profile & Licensee

FERC Project No. 1121 is located on the North and South Forks of Battle Creek in Shasta and Tehama Counties, California. The 36.1 megawatt Project is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project consists of five developments that divert water from the North and South Forks of Battle Creek and a number of tributaries and springs for power generation at Volta, Volta 2, South, Inskip, and Coleman powerhouses. Project facilities include the Volta Development, Volta 2 Development, South Development, Inskip Development, and Coleman Development

Federally Threatened - Listed Species/Species of Concern

  1. The distinct population segment (DPS) of California Central Valley (CV) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and its critical habitat;
  2. The evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and its critical habitat;
  3. The evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of winter-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and its critical habitat;
  4. The ESU of CV fall-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) [Species of Concern]

FERC Relicensing Status

In December 2009, Pacific Gas and Electric requested that FERC amend their license to support the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project, a collaborative effort between PG&E and Federal and State resource agencies to restore fish habitat on Battle Creek. The Restoration Project includes removal of five dams with screens and ladders constructed on the remaining three dams as well as increased in-stream flows.

The Restoration Project will reestablish approximately 42 miles of prime salmon and steelhead habitat in the North and South Forks of Battle Creek, plus an additional six miles of habitat on the tributaries of Battle Creek. 

Construction started in 2010 and is only partially complete. On August 31, 2018, PG&E informed FERC of its decision to not seek a new license for Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project and will instead initiate “orphaned project” proceedings, which could lead to Project decommissioning

PG&E also informed its partner signatories to Battle Creek Restoration Program of its plans to withdraw the license amendment application to implement Phase 2 of the Restoration Project. PG&E also stated they are committed to working with the MOU partners to develop a new application for amendment of the Project license that reflects activities consistent with options for future disposition of the Project.

Resources

DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project (P-803)

Butte Creek & West Branch Feather River, California.

Project Profile & Licensee

FERC Project No. 803 is located on Butte Creek and West Branch Feather River (WBFR) in Butte County, California. The 26.4 megawatt (MW) Project is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The Project includes three developments: Toadtown, DeSabla, and Centerville.

Toadtown Development: Hendrickson Dam diverts water from the WBFR, and its two Project Reservoirs (Round Valley and Philbrook), into the Butte Creek basin via the Hendricks/Toadtown Canal and Long Ravine. From Hendricks/Toadtown Canal, water goes through the Toadtown Powerhouse (1.5 MW) and on into the DeSabla Development.

DeSabla Development: Butte Head Dam on upper Butte Creek diverts water into Butte Canal. Butte Canal joins the Toadtown Canal, water flows into DeSabla Forebay (formed by DeSabla Dam), and then flows through DeSabla Powerhouse (18.5 MW) into Butte Creek. A small amount of water also flows from DeSabla Forebay into Upper Centerville Canal to satisfy water users (connecting later to Lower Centerville Canal).

Centerville Development: Lower Centerville Dam diverts water from Butte Creek (downstream of DeSabla Powerhouse). Water flows down Lower Centerville Canal, into Centerville Powerhouse (6.4 MW), and is discharged into Butte Creek. Additionally, there were, originally, 12 “feeder creek” diversions (4 each on Butte, Hendricks/Toadtown, and Lower Centerville canals). However, when the Project is relicensed there will only be a feeder creek diversion each on Lower Centerville, Butte, and Hendricks canals. In addition, relicensing will result in a fish ladder and canal fish screen on the Hendricks Dam facilities.

Federally Threatened - Listed Species/Species of Concern

  1. The distinct population segment (DPS) of California Central Valley (CV) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and its critical habitat;
  2. The evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and its critical habitat;
  3. The ESU of CV fall-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) [Species of Concern]

For over 100 years, summer flows in Butte Creek have been augmented by storage from the Project including an inter-basin diversion from the WBFR. This has created favorable conditions for Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, a threatened species under the ESA.

The Butte Creek population of Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon is the largest naturally spawning population remaining in the Central Valley.

The project is operated in close coordination with NMFS and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the primary purpose of protecting Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon.

FERC Relicensing Status

Integrated Licensing Process since 2004: PG&E filed its Final License Application in 2007 and FERC issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement in 2009. The State Water Board issued its Clean Water Act 401 certification in 2016 and NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinion was signed in 2017.

In February 2017, PG&E announced that it would withdraw its application for a new FERC license. In May 2017, PG&E proposed a schedule to move forward with the sale of the Project to a new, undisclosed owner. As of February 2019, negotiations between PG&E and the prospective buyer are ongoing. If negotiations do not result in a sale of the Project, FERC would initiate an “orphaned project” proceeding which could result in Project decommissioning.

Resources

Kilarc-Cow Hydroelectric Project (P-606) 

Battle Creek, California.

Project Profile & Licensee

FERC Project No. 606: The Proposed Project is located in the Cow Creek Watershed in Shasta County, California. The Project is owned by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), designated as FERC Project No. 606. The Project consists of two developments, the Kilarc Development on Old Cow Creek and the Cow Creek Development on South Cow Creek.

Kilarc Development: The Kilarc Development consists of the following features: North Canyon Creek Diversion Dam and Canal; South Canyon Creek Diversion Dam and Canal; South Canyon Creek Siphon; Kilarc Main Canal Diversion Dam and Kilarc Main Canal (including tunnel, elevated flumes and spillways); Kilarc Forebay and Forebay Dam; Kilarc Penstock; Kilarc Powerhouse and Switchyard; and Kilarc Access Roads. The flow of water through the Kilarc Development and into the Kilarc Main Canal is described as follows.

Water is diverted from North Canyon Creek into the North Canyon Creek canal at the North Canyon Creek diversion dam and is conveyed to South Canyon Creek. Water is diverted from South Canyon Creek into the South Canyon Creek canal at the South Canyon Creek diversion dam. Water from South Canyon Creek canal flows into the South Canyon Creek siphon, which conveys water into the Kilarc Main Canal. Water is diverted from Old Cow Creek into the Kilarc Main Canal at the Kilarc diversion dam. Water from the Kilarc Main Canal flows to the Kilarc Forebay and through the penstock to the Kilarc powerhouse. Water is returned to Old Cow Creek near the Kilarc powerhouse about 4 miles downstream from the Kilarc diversion dam.

Cow Creek Development: The Cow Creek Development consists of the following features, described in further detail in Section 2.5, Existing Project Facilities and Operations: Mill Creek Diversion; Mill Creek-South Cow Creek Canal; South Cow Creek Diversion Dam and appurtenant structures; South Cow Creek Main Canal (including tunnel and spillways); Cow Creek Forebay Dam and Forebay; Cow Creek Penstock; Cow Creek Powerhouse and Switchyard; and Cow Creek Access Roads.

The flow of water through the Cow Creek Development is described as follows. Water is supplied to the Cow Creek powerhouse as described below. Water is diverted from Mill Creek into the Mill Creek-South Cow Creek canal at the Mill Creek diversion dam. Water is diverted from South Cow Creek and from the Mill Creek-South Cow Creek canal into the South Cow Creek main canal at the South Cow Creek diversion dam and flows to the Cow Creek Forebay. From the forebay, water flows through the penstock to Cow Creek powerhouse and is discharged into Hooten Gulch, and then back into South Cow Creek about 4 miles downstream of the South Cow Creek diversion dam.

Federally Threatened - Listed Species/Species of Concern

  1. The distinct population segment (DPS) of California Central Valley (CV) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and its critical habitat;
  2. The evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and its critical habitat;
  3. The evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of winter-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and its critical habitat;
  4. The ESU of CV fall-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) [Species of Concern]

FERC Relicensing Status

The existing license expired on March 27, 2007, and the Project continues to operate under an annual license. On March 13, 2009, PG&E filed a License Surrender Application (LSA) and a Proposed Decommissioning Plan (PDP) to surrender its license and decommission project facilities. FERC issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 2010 and a final EIS in 2011. The SWRCB filed a draft EIR in 2019 for CEQA and the 401 cert is in progress.

FERC’s FEIS, SWRCB’s DEIR, and PG&E’ PDP support the license surrender and the proposed decommissioning and removal or modifications of Project features, including: 

  1. Remove diversion dams and allow for free passage of fish and sediment.
  2. Leave in place some diversion dam abutments and foundations to protect stream banks and provide grade control.
  3. Leave in place and secure powerhouse structures during decommissioning with an option for preservation of powerhouse structures for future reuse.
  4. Remove electric generators, turbines, and other equipment.
  5. Grade and fill forebays.
  6. Leave in place, breach, or fill canal segments and remove metal and wood flume structures (in consultation with affected landowners).
  7. Retire access roads to the project where possible.

Resources

Lassen Lodge (P-12496) Hydroelectric Project

Upper South Fork Battle Creek, California.

Project Profile & Applicant

FERC Project No. 12496 has undergone numerous Preliminary Permit Applications (PPA) and Licensing processes since the 1990s. Currently, the proposed 5 megawatt (MW) Project does not have a Preliminary Permit, but is progressing through the Traditional Licensing Process (TLP). The proposed Project is to be located on the South Fork Battle Creek (SFBC), California, and upstream of FERC Project P-1121’s “Battle Creek Restoration Project”. The Applicant is Rugraw, LLC. 

The proposed Project would create a natural Dam on the SFBC, at the 4,300-foot elevation point, with anchored boulders and include volitional fish passage facilities. The Dam diverts water into a 48-inch diameter, buried, Pipeline/Penstock about 13,600 feet long. The Pipeline/Penstock delivers water into a 5 MW Powerhouse that discharges into the SFBC at the 3,350-foot elevation point, about 1.5 miles downstream of Angel Falls (current limit of anadromy).

Federally Threatened - Listed Species/Species of Concern

  1. The distinct population segment (DPS) of California Central Valley (CV) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and its critical habitat;
  2. The evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and its critical habitat;
  3. The ESU of CV fall-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) [Species of Concern]

Currently, anadromous fish cannot access the Project reach because downstream dam removal, as part of the FERC Project P-1121’s Battle Creek Restoration Project, will not be completed until about 2020. However, the current limit of Critical Habitat, by Final Rule, is Angel Falls on the SFBC, which is 1.5 miles upstream of the Project’s proposed Powerhouse. Thus, it is reasonably foreseeable that anadromous fish would gain access into the Project-affected reach above the Powerhouse within the term of a new license.

FERC Relicensing Status

PPAs (24 years) and TLP (20 years) processes ongoing: Since the 1990s, FERC has issued four Preliminary Permits to Rugraw:  November 25, 1991 (P-11157, dismissed); June 26, 2001 (P-11894, dismissed); October 8, 2004 (P-12496-000, expired); and May 4, 2010 (P-12496-001, expired). When FERC granted the fourth Preliminary Permit in May 2010, Rugraw was still under the TLP. In May 2012, Rugraw filed a draft Exemption Application but, by August 2012, FERC rejected it and the TLP process continued.

In April 2013, Rugraw submitted a Notice to continue with the TLP. But, by May 2013, the P-12496-001 Preliminary Permit had expired. From May 2013 to March 2014, Rugraw has not sought a new PPA, but has progressed towards the development of a final License Application under the TLP. Rugraw filed a final License Application by the end of March 2014. FERC issued a FEIS in 2018 and requested ESA concurrence.

NOAA Fisheries negotiated the project action with the Applicant and the result was an ESA Letter of NOAA Fisheries' concurrence with the new, fish favorable, terms. Project is awaiting a State Water Board California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review and 401 certification.

Resources

McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project (P-2106)

McCloud and Pit Rivers, California

Project Profile & Licensee

FERC Project P-2106 is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). This Project is located on the McCloud and Pit rivers, upstream of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR) Shasta Dam (on the Sacramento River), in Shasta County, California. The Project includes 5 dams/reservoirs, 2 tunnels, and 3 powerhouses (364 megawatts (MW)). In addition, PG&E is proposing to add 2 additional powerhouses for an additional 18 MW. The McCloud-Pit/P-2106 Projects’ facilities are described below: 

McCloud Dam on the McCloud River forms McCloud Reservoir. The first Proposed Powerhouse (8 MW) is to be at the base of McCloud Dam, discharging into the McCloud River. The McCloud Tunnel delivers water into the Iron Canyon Reservoir/Dam on Iron Canyon Creek. The Iron Canyon Tunnel delivers water from Iron Canyon Reservoir into the James B. Black Penstock/Powerhouse (172 MW), which discharges into the Pit 6 Reservoir/Dam on the lower Pit River (this reservoir also receives flow from the Pit 5 Powerhouse of the Pit River/P-233 Project). The Pit 6 Dam contains Pit 6 Powerhouse (80 MW) and discharges into the Pit 7 Reservoir/Dam. The Pit 7 Dam contains the Pit 7 Powerhouse (112 MW) and discharges into the Pit 7 Afterbay/Dam. The second Proposed Powerhouse (10 MW) is to be at an enlarged Pit 7 Afterbay Dam. This powerhouse would discharge into the Pit River Arm of Lake Shasta.

Federally Threatened - Listed Species/Species of Concern

Currently, there are no anadromous fish in the McCloud River basin or in the lower Pit River upstream of Shasta Dam. However, in 2009 NOAA Fisheries issued a Biological Opinion (BO) and Conference Opinion on the Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) that contained a “Reasonable and Prudent Alternative” (RPA) that includes a Fish Passage Program to evaluate the feasibility of reintroducing winter-run and spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead to tributaries above Shasta Dam. NOAA Fisheries’ Central Valley Recovery Plan designated the McCloud River basin as a primary candidate area for salmonid reintroduction.

FERC Relicensing Status

Integrated Licensing Process: FERC issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in February 2011. After negotiations with NOAA Fisheries, FERC concurred that it was reasonably foreseeable that anadromous fish may be reintroduced into the McCloud River basin, based on the BO’s RPA for fish passage. Thus, FERC included a term in its Final EIS to have PG&E participate in the USBR’s Fish Passage Committee. The State Water Resources Control Board is working on Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Project.

Resources

More Information

Last updated by West Coast Regional Office on 01/03/2023