Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No. 1121

Battle Creek Salmon & Steelhead Restoration Project

Coleman Diversion Dam on Battle Creek Coleman Diversion Dam on South Fork Battle Creek
(Picture provided by State Water Board staff)

Applicant: Pacific Gas & Electric Company
County: Shasta & Tehama
Water Quality Certification Status:
Phase 1A and 1B: Issued - December 12, 2008
Phase 2: Issued - June 10, 2016
New Phase 2: Awaiting Application
Inskip Dam and Appurtenant Facilities Removal: Awaiting Application
Waterbodies: Battle Creek and associated tributaries

Project Description:

In 1999, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), United State Bureau of Reclamation, National Marine Fisheries Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (formally known as California Department of Fish and Game) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to implement the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project (Restoration Project).  The purpose of the Restoration Project is to restore approximately 42 miles of Chinook salmon and steelhead habitat in North Fork and South Fork Battle Creek and an additional six miles of habitat in Battle Creek’s tributaries while minimizing the loss of clean and renewable energy produced by the Hydroelectric Project.  Habitat restoration will restore ecological processes that will allow safe passage for naturally produced salmonids and facilitate their growth and recovery within the restoration area and the Sacramento River.  Restoration is being accomplished primarily through amendments of the existing license for the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC] Project No. 1121) (Hydroelectric Project).  The Restoration Project was to be implemented in phases as described below:

Restoration Project - Phase 1A and Phase 1B

Phase 1A of the Restoration Project included: 1)  removal of Wildcat Diversion Dam and Wildcat Canal; 2)  construction of fish screens and fish ladders on North Battle Creek Feeder and Eagle Canyon Diversion Dams; and 3)  construction of a fish barrier weir on Baldwin Creek.
Phase 1B of the Restoration Project included construction of the Inskip Powerhouse bypass and tailrace connector which, when operating reduce cold water in North Fork Battle Creek from mixing with warm water in South Fork Battle Creek.  Phase 1B work was mainly completed in 2017 and the facilities were transferred from United State Bureau of Reclamation to PG&E in 2019.  On December 12, 2008, the State Water Board issued PG&E a certification to implement Phase 1A and Phase 1B.

Restoration Project - Phase 2

Phase 2 of the Restoration Project included: 1) removal of South Diversion Dam, South Canal, Soap Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, Lower Ripley Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, and Coleman Diversion Dam; 2) construction of a South Powerhouse tailrace tunnel connector to Inskip Canal; and 3) construction of a fish screen and fish ladder on Inskip Diversion Dam.
Following the June 10, 2016 issuance of a certification for Phase 2 of the Restoration Project, PG&E filed a petition for reconsideration of the certification with the State Water Board.  Additionally, on April 2, 2019, PG&E withdrew its FERC application for Restoration Project Phase 2.

Restoration Project - New Phase 2

On August 31, 2018, PG&E informed FERC that it did not intend to renew the Hydroelectric Project’s FERC License that expires in 2026.  After discussions with the MOU partners, PG&E agreed to proceed with New Phase 2 of the Restoration Project, which is a subset of actions proposed under Phase 2 of the Restoration Project.  New Phase 2 includes removal of South Diversion Dam, South Canal, Soap Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, Lower Ripley Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, and Coleman Diversion Dam.

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