Feasibility of Cold Water Releases from Lake Britton

by R. H. Cross, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Walnut, Creek, CA, USA,
W. S. Lifton, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Walnut, Creek, CA, USA,
P. Mineart, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Walnut, Creek, CA, USA,
D. A. Gilbert, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Walnut, Creek, CA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Power '87

Abstract:

The Pit River in Shasta County, California, is the site of the Pit 3, 4 and 5 Project, a major hydroelectric facility operated by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PGandE) under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission License 233. The Pit River, within the Project area, supports important fish and wildlife species, including game fish (rainbow trout and brown trout) and nearly 15 percent of California's remnant breeding bald eagle population. During negotiations with state and federal resource management agencies, PGandE was requested to assess the feasibility of providing cold water to the Pit 4 and 5 reaches through a deeper power release level in Lake Britton. The purpose of the request was to determine if stream temperatures could be reduced in order to enhance the habitat for game fish in downstream reaches. Existing data presented in the Bald Eagle and Fish Study Final Report (1) were insufficient to determine the effects of modifying the Pit 3 Powerhouse intake on the thermal structure of Lake Britton and on downstream Project waters. Therefore, a cold water feasibility study was conducted from September through November 1985.

Subject Headings: Hydro power | Feasibility studies | Fish and fishery management | Lakes | Temperature effects | Rivers and streams | Project management

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