Pit 5 Dam is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric dam on the Pit River in Shasta County, northeastern California, about south of Big Bend. It is part of the Pit 3-4-5 hydroelectric project owned by Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Specifications The concrete gravity diversion dam is high and long. It has a gated spillway controlled by four steel wheel gates, and a diameter river outlet for regular releases. An intake structure diverts water into a long penstock to the Pit 5 Tunnel forebay reservoir, from which a second tunnel connects to the Pit 5 power station. There are four 40 MW generating units, each fed by a -long penstock.
History The dam and power station were authorized in 1942 and constructed as a wartime project, and the first power was generated on April 29, 1944. Construction of the dam and power station dewatered a stretch of the Pit River known as the "Big Bend". When the projects were relicensed in 2007, a minimum release into the river was established, to provide recreation benefits such as boating and fishing, and to improve riparian habitat.
See also List of dams and reservoirs in California
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