Part 2C continues with hydroelectric reservoirs in the Mother Lode including the Bear, Cosumnes, Mokelumne, Truckee, and Yuba Rivers. The American River was previously described in part 2B.
Bear River
Alta Forebay, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º13’ W120º47’) receives water from the Towle Canal (North Fork American River watershed) and regulates water entering the penstock to Alta Powerhouse (N39º13’ W120º48’) on the Little Bear River. Below the powerhouse, water enters the Boardman Canal of Placer County Water Authority for distribution to water customers. These facilities are components of the Alta Development of Pacific Gas & Electric.
Drum Forebay, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º15’ W120º45’) receives water from the Lake Valley Canal and Drum Canal (from Spaulding Powerhouse No. 1 on the South Yuba River), then sends the water through the Drum No. 1 and No. 2 Powerhouses on the Bear River. It is part of the Drum No. 1 and No. 2 Development.
Drum Afterbay, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º15’ W120º46’), is on the Bear River and receives water from the Drum Powerhouse No. 1 and No. 2. It is part of the Dutch Flat No. 1 Development. Water is diverted into the Dutch Flat No. 1 Tunnel east of the Bear River for hydroelectric generation at Dutch Flat No. 1 Powerhouse on the Dutch Flat Afterbay, and to the Dutch Flat No. 2 Flume west of the Bear River for delivery to the Dutch Flat No. 2 Forebay.
Dutch Flat No. 2 Forebay, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º13’ W120º50’) receives water from the Drum Afterbay delivers it to the Dutch Flat Powerhouse No. 2 on Dutch Flat Afterbay.
Dutch Flat Afterbay, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º13’ W120º51’), receives water from Dutch Flat Powerhouses No. 1 and 2. It is bordered by the National System of Public Lands. Water is diverted to the Chicago Park Flume for delivery to the Chicago Park Powerhouse on the upper end of Rollins Reservoir.
Rollins Reservoir, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º8’ W120º57’) is an irrigation storage and hydroelectric reservoir on the Bear River near Colfax on I-80. It partially occupies the National System of Public Lands.
Bear River Canal Diversion Dam, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º8’ W120º57’) is just below Rollins Dam and delivers water into the Bear River Canal which sends water to the Halsey Forebay near Auburn. This dam is part of the Halsey Development.
Lake Combie, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º1’ W121º3’), is an irrigation and hydroelectric reservoir on the Bear River as it leaves the Sierra Nevada ecoregion. Shoreline residential development is common on this reservoir.
Cosumnes River
Jenkinson Lake, El Dorado Irrigation District (N38º43’ W120º34’) is south of Pollock Pines on Sly Park Creek. Sly Park Creek Dam was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation but transferred to the El Dorado Irrigation District in 2003. The reservoir is partially on Eldorado National Forest lands.
Mokelumne River
South of Carson Pass, Meadow Lake (N38º36’ W119º58’), Twin Lake (N38º36’ W119º56’), Lower Blue Lake (N38º37’ W119º56’), and Upper Blue Lake (N38º37’ W119º57’), are operated by Pacific Gas & Electric as hydroelectric storage reservoirs for the North Fork Mokelumne River. Bear River Reservoir (N38º34’ W120º13’), and Lower Bear River Reservoir (N38º32’ W120º15’) are Pacific Gas & Electric hydroelectric projects on Eldorado National Forest lands. Salt Springs Reservoir (N38º30’ W120º11’) is a PG&E project on the North Fork Mokelumne River that occupies lands of both Eldorado and Stanislaus National Forests. Downstream from the national forest, Tiger Creek Reservoir (N38º27’ W120º30’) is also a PG&E project which occupies the National System of Public Lands (BLM lands).
On the Middle Fork of the Mokelumne River upstream from West Point, Schaads Reservoir (N38º23’ W120º26’) is operated by the Calaveras Public Utility District. It is also called the Middle Fork Dam Hydro Plant. Part of the reservoir occupies Stanislaus National Forest lands.
Truckee River
Boca Reservoir, Bureau of Reclamation, California (N39º24’ W120º6’), is on the Little Truckee River within the Tahoe National Forest. It provides irrigation storage for the Washoe County Conservation District as part of the Truckee Storage Project, and is accessed from I-80.
Echo Lake, El Dorado Irrigation District (N38º50’ W120º3’) is a tributary to the Upper Truckee River off of US Route 50 near Meyers. It is on Forest Service-managed lands of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
Lake Tahoe Dam, Bureau of Reclamation, California (N39º10’ W120º9’), is part of the Newlands Project and stores water for the 57,000 acres of irrigation lands downstream. The facility is operated by the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District. Although Lake Tahoe is a natural lake with a depth of 1,650 feet, the dam regulates the water level and controls the top six feet of the reservoir pool. The dam is located at Tahoe City on State Route 89.
Martis Creek Reservoir, US Army Corps of Engineers, California (N39º19’ W120º7’), was completed as a flood control reservoir on State Route 267 southeast of Truckee. Seepage has been an issue at the dam, and it has been maintained at a reduced pool of 70 acres for flood control and dam safety reasons. During flood control operations, the reservoir area could potentially increase temporarily to 770 acres if safety issues are resolved (USACE, 2014). The reservoir provides hiking opportunities within the Martis Creek Wildlife Area and Waddle Ranch Preserve of the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
Prosser Creek Reservoir, Bureau of Reclamation, California (N39º23’ W120º9’), is north of Truckee off of State Route 89 within the Tahoe National Forest. It is part of the Washoe Project, which stores water for fishery enhancement for Lahontan cutthroat trout and cui-ui spawning.
Stampede Reservoir, Bureau of Reclamation, California (N39º29’ W120º8’), is on the Little Truckee River north of Boca Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. Part of the Washoe Project, it stores water for fishery enhancement for Lahontan cutthroat trout and cui-ui spawning.
Yuba River
Merle Collins Lake (Virginia Ranch Dam), Browns Valley Irrigation District (N39º20’ W121º18’), is on Dry Creek, a tributary of the Yuba River, and is used for irrigation water and hydroelectric generation.
The Deer Creek Development of Pacific Gas & Electric receives water from Spaulding No. 2 Powerhouse below Spaulding Reservoir on the South Yuba River. Water from the powerhouse enters the South Yuba Canal and then the Chalk Bluff Canal, which flows across mostly Tahoe National Forest land to the Deer Creek Forebay (N39º18’ W120º49’). The forebay regulates water entering the penstock to Deer Creek Powerhouse (N39º18’ W120º51’) on South Fork Deer Creek, a tributary to the Yuba River.
Harry L. Englebright Lake, US Army Corps of Engineers (N39º15’ W121º16’), is on the Yuba River. Just downstream are the Narrows Powerhouses, one operated by Yuba County Water Agency and the other operated by Pacific Gas & Electric.
Scotts Flat Reservoir, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º17’ W120º55’) is on Deer Creek east of Nevada City. It is a small hydroelectric development (0.83 MW) as well as irrigation storage reservoir. It is reached from Scotts Flat Road off of State Route 20 east of Nevada City. There are four campgrounds on the reservoir. Just downstream, Lower Scotts Flat Reservoir (N39º16’ W120º57’) delivers water to the Deer Creek canal.
North Yuba River
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Yuba County Water Agency (N39º24’ W121º8’), is partially on Tahoe and Plumas National Forest lands. There is a powerhouse at the reservoir and also at Colgate. The Colgate powerhouse (N39º20’ W121º11’) receives water from the Colgate Tunnel from New Bullards Bar Reservoir diversion dam just downstream of New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The reservoir is part of the Yuba River Development Project. On the upper end of the reservoir on Deadwood Creek (N39º32’ W121º6’) is a hydro plant operated by Yuba County Water Agency.
Slate Creek Diversion Dam, South Feather Water and Power Agency, Plumas National Forest (N39º37’ W121º3’) sends water to Sly Creek Reservoir in the Feather River watershed.
Salmon Creek Hydroelectric Project, Henwood Associates, Tahoe National Forest (N39º37’ W120º36’) is a small hydro plant off of State Route 49 north of Sierra City.
Middle Yuba River
Bowman Project of Nevada Irrigation District
Jackson Meadows Reservoir, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º30’ W120º33’) is on the Middle Yuba River in the Tahoe National Forest. It can be reached from Forest Highway 7 west of State Route 89.
Milton Reservoir, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º31’ W120º35’), is on the Middle Yuba River below Jackson Meadows Dam and diverts water through a tunnel to Bowman Lake on Canyon Creek, a tributary to the South Yuba River. It occupies Tahoe National Forest lands.
Wilson Creek Diversion Dam, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º31’ W120º35’) is on the Milton-Bowman aqueduct near Milton Reservoir and diverts creek water into the aqueduct and tunnel for delivery to Bowman Lake. It occupies Tahoe National Forest lands.
Yuba River Development Project of Yuba County Water Agency
Our House Diversion Dam, Yuba County Water Agency (N39º25’ W121º0’), transfers water into the Lohman Ridge Diversion Tunnel which leads to the Log Cabin Diversion Dam. It occupies Tahoe National Forest lands.
Log Cabin Diversion Dam, Yuba County Water agency (N39º26’ W121º3’), is on Oregon Creek. It transfers water to the Camptonville Diversion Tunnel which leads to New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The facility is on Tahoe National Forest lands.
South Yuba River
Bowman Project of Nevada Irrigation District
Jackson Lake, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º28’ W120º34’) is at the headwaters of Jackson Creek, a tributary to Bowman Lake. It provides storage for the Bowman hydroelectric project and is partially located on Tahoe National Forest lands.
French Lake, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º25’ W120º32’), is on Canyon Creek and provides storage for release into Bowman Lake. It is on Tahoe National Forest lands.
Faucherie Lake, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º26’ W120º34’), is on Canyon Creek downstream from French Lake and provides storage for release into Bowman Lake. It is partially on Tahoe National Forest lands.
Sawmill Lake, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º27’ W120º36’), is on Canyon Creek downstream from Faucherie Lake. It provides storage for release into Bowman Lake and is partially on Tahoe National Forest lands.
Bowman Lake, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º27’ W120º39’) is on Canyon Creek downstream from Sawmill Lake. It stores water for release to the Bowman powerhouse downstream of the dam. It is partially on Tahoe National Forest land.
Bowman-Spaulding Conduit Diversion Dam (N39º27’ W120º40’) is on Canyon Creek immediately downstream from Bowman Lake and diverts water to the Spaulding No. 3 Project of Pacific Gas & Electric.
Spaulding No. 3 Development of Pacific Gas & Electric
Upper Rock Lake and Lower Rock Lake (both N39º26’ W120º37’) are on Texas Creek and are Pacific Gas & Electric storage reservoirs. The water is diverted at the Texas Creek Diversion Dam to the Bowman-Spaulding Conduit and Spaulding Reservoir for hydroelectric generation.
Cuthbertson Lake, Tahoe National Forest (N39º25’ W120º37’), is on a tributary to Texas Creek and is a storage reservoir for Pacific Gas & Electric. The water is diverted at the Texas Creek Diversion Dam to the Bowman-Spaulding Conduit and Spaulding Reservoir for hydroelectric generation.
Upper Lindsey Lake, Middle Lindsey Lake, and Lower Lindsey Lake (N39º25’ W120º38’) are on Lindsey Creek, a tributary to Texas Creek, and are storage reservoirs for Pacific Gas & Electric. Lower Lindsey Lake is on Tahoe National Forest land. The water is diverted at the Texas Creek Diversion Dam to the Bowman-Spaulding conduit and Spaulding Reservoir for hydroelectric generation.
Texas Creek Diversion Dam, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º24’ W120º40’), sends water from Texas Creek to the Bowman-Spaulding Conduit and through the Spaulding No. 3 powerhouse on Spaulding Reservoir.
Feeley Lake and Carr Lake, Tahoe National Forest (both N39º24’ W120º38’), are Pacific Gas and Electric storage reservoirs on Lake Creek, a tributary to Fall Creek. Their water is diverted at the Fall Creek Diversion Dam (N39º23’ W120º40’), to the Bowman-Spaulding Conduit and through the Spaulding No. 3 powerhouse on Spaulding Reservoir. The conduit also captures water from Clear Creek Diversion (N39º23’ W120º41’) and Trap Creek Diversion (N39º22’ W120º41’). All three diversions are on Tahoe National Forest land and owned by Nevada Irrigation District.
Blue Lake, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º21’ W120º38’), is on Rucker Creek and is a storage reservoir. Water is released downstream to Rucker Lake.
Rucker Lake, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º21’ W120º39’), is on Rucker Creek and is a storage reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. Water from Rucker Creek is diverted by the Rucker Creek Diversion, Nevada Irrigation District (N39º21’ W120º40’), to the Bowman-Spaulding Conduit and through the Spaulding No. 3 Powerhouse on Spaulding Reservoir.
Fuller Lake, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º21’ W120º39’) is a re-regulating reservoir at the end of the Bowman-Spaulding Conduit and regulates water inflow into the Spaulding No. 3 Powerhouse on Spaulding Reservoir. It is on Tahoe National Forest land.
Spaulding Reservoir, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º20’ W120º38’), is on the South Yuba River and is bordered by Tahoe National Forest land.
Spaulding No. 1 and No. 2 Projects of Pacific Gas & Electric
White Rock Lake, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º25’ W120º23’), on White Rock Creek near Mount Lola, is the uppermost storage reservoir and is on Tahoe National Forest land. Releases from White Rock Lake flow into North Creek and Fordyce Lake.
Meadow Lake, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º24’ W120º30’) is on an unnamed tributary and releases water to Fordyce Lake. It is on Tahoe National Forest land.
Lake Sterling, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º21’ W120º29’) is south of Fordyce Lake on Bloody Creek and is a storage reservoir on Tahoe National Forest land. Releases flow into Fordyce Lake.
Fordyce Lake, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º23’ W120º30’) receives water from White Rock, Meadow,and Sterling lakes and releases water into Fordyce Creek, which feeds Lake Spaulding. Some Tahoe National Forest land as well as private lands border Fordyce Lake, which is mostly surrounded by private lands.
Kidd Lake, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º19’ W120º26’) is a storage lake south of I-80, which releases to the South Yuba River and Lake Spaulding downstream.
Upper Peak Lake and Lower Peak Lake, Pacific Gas & Electric (both N39º18’ W120º26’) are storage lakes mapped as ‘Cascade Lakes’ which release to Cascade Creek, a tributary to the South Yuba River and Lake Spaulding. Both include Tahoe National Forest lands.
Lake Spaulding, Pacific Gas & Electric (N39º20’ W120º38’) is on the South Fork Yuba River. Two additional dams are required to prevent overflow into Jordan Creek. Tahoe National Forest lands border the upper sections of the reservoir. Two powerhouses below Spaulding Dam divert water to the Bear River or Deer Creek basins. Spaulding No. 1 Powerhouse discharges to the Drum Canal while Spaulding No. 2 Powerhouse discharges to the South Yuba Canal for transfer to the Bear River.
Part 2D describes the national trail system, wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, and state and local sites in the Tahoe-Eldorado area of the Sierra Nevada forests.