Rock Creek P-1962
General information | |
Waterway |
North Fork Feather River |
Current status | Active license  |
Type of facility | Conventional Hydro |
Mode of hydropower generation | Peaking |
Type of permit | FERC License |
FERC information | |
FERC docket # | P-1962 |
FERC project name | Rock Creek-Cresta |
Other projects with this FERC number | |
Permit issued | 10/19/01 |
Permit expiration | 9/26/34 |
Ownership and operation | |
Owner | Pacific Gas & Electric Co |
Owner type | Investor-Owned Utility |
Year first online (conventional hydro) | 1950 |
Transmission or distribution system owner | Pacific Gas & Electric Co |
Power and generating capacity | |
Number of units | 2 |
Total capacity from hydraulic turbine-generator units within each plant | 126.0 MW |
Average annual net hydropower generation | 382,889.1 MWH |
In 1997 members of the Hydropower Reform Coalition began working on to restore the Feather River, which was heavily impacted from hydropower development. Our goal has been ambitious but simple. Restore the Feather River, ecologically, and as a premiere recreational resource. During the first part of the twentieth century people came from all over the world to the Feather River to participate in an array of recreational activities; angling, paddling, swimming. The hydro projects that were built in the 1950’s and 60’s gathered up most of the river’s water and put it in pipes to produce power. While this was a boon for power production, it was devastating for the ecosystem and recreation industry on the Feather River.
The first piece of the puzzle was negotiating the landmark Rock Creek – Cresta Settlement Agreement (FERC P-1962). This agreement more than doubled the base flows, set standards for water temperature, required habitat improvements for fish spawning, as well as requiring recreational releases starting at one weekend per month during the summer. Since this agreement was initiated, in the form of a new FERC license, we have seen a dramatic improvement in the fishery and an increase in shore-based recreation. In addition, thousands of paddlers have come to the North Fork Feather to experience what many feel is the best summer whitewater opportunity in California.
Is there something you’d like to add or correct? Please let us know.
Related posts
- From American Whitewater 03/06/24
California 2024 Recreational Releases - From South Yuba River Citizens League 11/14/23
PG&E and PacGen: A risky proposal for the Yuba River, our community, and ratepayers. - From American Whitewater 10/11/23
PG&E Proposal Impacts 500 Miles of CA Rivers - From American Whitewater 03/18/22
2022 North Fork Feather (CA) Releases and Opportunities - From American Whitewater 08/25/21
Recreational Release Update for the Feather and Pit River Watersheds (CA)
News and updates
From South Yuba River Citizens League9/25/2024
NID Withdraws Centennial Dam Proposal After SYRCL’s Decade-Long Opposition
From American Rivers9/9/2024