SPRING CREEK POWERPLANT
Spring Creek Dam and Powerplant
Spring Creek Dam and Powerplant
| Plant Contact: | Brian Person Area Manager, Northern California Area Office |
| Telephone Numbers: | Phone: (530) 275-1554 Fax: (530) 275-2441 |
| E-Mail Address: | bperson@mp.usbr.gov |
| Reclamation Region: | Mid-Pacific |
| NERC Region: | Western Electricity Coordinating Council, California-Southern Nevada Power Area |
| PMA Service Area: | Western Area Power Administration, Sierra Nevada Region |
| Project Authorization: | Funds for construction of the initial features of the Central Valley Project were provided by the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935 (49 Stat. 115). The Secretary of the Interior authorized the project and the President approved it on December 2, 1935. The Shasta and Trinity River Division was authorized by Public Law 386, 84th Congress, 1st Session, approved August 12, 1955. |
| Project Purposes: | The Central Valley Project, one of the Nation's major water conservation developments, extends from the Cascade Range on the north to the semiarid but fertile plains along the Kern River on the south. Initial features of the project were built primarily to protect the Central Valley from crippling water shortages and menacing floods. New project units were built to provide water and power to match the continued growth of the State. Although developed primarily for irrigation, this multiple-purpose project also provides flood control, improves Sacramento River navigation, supplies domestic and industrial water, generates electric power, conserves fish and wildlife, creates opportunities for recreation, and enhances water quality. |
| Plant Facts: | Spring Creek Powerplant is at the foot of Spring Creek Debris Dam. The dam is an earth-fill structure, 196 feet high with a crest length of 1,110 feet. Water for power is received through Spring Creek Tunnel which diverts water from Whiskeytown Lake on Clear Creek. Water from the plant is discharged to Keswick Reservoir. |
| Plant Purpose: | Spring Creek Powerplant is a peaking plant. Its power is dedicated first to meeting the requirements of the project facilities. The remaining energy is marketed to various preference customers in northern California. |
| Plant History: | These facilities were built and are operated by Reclamation. Transmission lines were operated by Reclamation until October 1, 1977, when they were transferred to the Western Area Power Administration, Department of Energy. |
| Present Activities: | Extensive turbine cavitation repair reduced Spring Creek Availability Factor in 2002. |
| Future Planned Activities: | None |
| Special Issues: | Spring Creek operation is tied to flow regimes aimed at minimizing the building of metal concentrations in the Spring Creek arm of the Keswick Reservoir. Trinity County has first preference to the power benefit of the Central Valley Project from Spring Creek Powerplant. |
| River: | Spring Creek |
| Plant Type: | Conventional |
| Powerhouse Type: | Above Ground |
| Turbine Type: | Francis |
| Original Nameplate Capacity: | 150,000 kW |
| Installed Capacity: | 180,000 kW |
| Year of Initial Operation: | 1964 |
| Age: | 41 years |
| Net Generation: (FY 2005) |
315,480,000 kWh |
| Rated Head: | 566 feet |
| Plant Factor: (FY 2005) |
20.07 percent |
| Remotely Operated: | Yes |
| Production Mode: | Peaking |
Click here for graphs and charts of Spring Creek Powerplant performance.
Click here for information on the Central Valley Project.
See also our Mid-Pacific Region's Northern California Area Office Page
Revised December 28, 2005 Hydropower Site Map Help