SHASTA POWERPLANT
Shasta Dam and Powerplant
Shasta Powerplant
Shasta Powerplant Generators
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-So. 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 Purpose: | The Shasta 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 Facts: | The Shasta Powerplant is located just below Shasta Dam. Water from the dam is released through five 15-foot penstocks leading to the five main generating units and two station service units. |
Plant History: | Transmission lines were operated by Reclamation until October 1, 1977, when they were transferred to the Western Area Power Administration, Department of Energy. Unit 4 and 5 were uprated to 142 MW in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Units 1 and 2 were uprated to 125 MW each in 1980. Units 3, 4, and 5 were uprated in 1968-1974. |
Present Activities: | The replacement of Unit 3 turbine will be completed in June 2005. |
Future Planned Activities: | |
Special Issues: | Downstream water temperature requirements required bypasses of outflows around the powerplant and resulted in around 2,000,000 megawatt-hours of lost generation. Installation of a temperature control device is expected to end this form of operation in most cases. Shasta penstocks provide water supply for Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, which is located 0.125 miles south of Shasta Powerplant. |
River: | Sacramento River |
Plant Type: | Conventional |
Powerhouse Type: | Above Ground |
Turbine Type: | Francis |
Original Nameplate Capacity: | 379,000 kW |
Installed Capacity: | 663,000 kW |
Year of Initial Operation: | 1944 |
Age: | 61 years |
Net Generation (FY 2005): |
1,806,476,000 kWh |
Rated Head: | 330 feet |
Plant Factor (FY-2005): |
31.17 percent |
Remotely Operated: | Yes |
Production Mode: | Peaking |
Click here for graphs and charts of Shasta Powerplant performance.
Click here for information on Shasta Dam.
Click here for information on the Central Valley Project.
See also our Mid-Pacific Region's Northern California Area Office Page
Revised April 10, 2007 Hydropower Site Map Help