Pit 5 Dam
| Company type | Hydroelectric facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1944 |
| Headquarters | Shasta County , United States |
| Products | Hydroelectric power |
| Owner | Pacific Gas & Electric Company |
Pit 5 Dam is a run-of-river hydroelectric facility situated on the Pit River within Shasta County in northeastern California, approximately south of Big Bend. It is an integral component of the Pit 3-4-5 hydroelectric complex managed by Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Specifications
This concrete gravity diversion dam measures in height and extends in length. The dam includes a gated spillway equipped with four steel wheel gates, alongside a diameter river outlet designed for regulated water discharge. Water is channeled through an intake structure into a penstock that feeds the Pit 5 Tunnel forebay reservoir, which then connects via a secondary tunnel to the Pit 5 power generation facility. The station contains four generating units, each rated at 40 MW, supplied individually by separate penstocks.
History
Initially approved in 1942 as part of wartime efforts, the dam and its power plant commenced electricity production on April 29, 1944. The construction process involved dewatering a segment of the Pit River known locally as the "Big Bend." Following its relicensing in 2007, a minimum flow requirement was established to support recreational uses such as boating and fishing, as well as to improve riparian ecosystem conditions.