Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No. 1121

Applicant:Pacific Gas and Electric Company and United States Bureau of Reclamation
County: Shasta and Tehama
Water Quality Certification Status:
Phases 1A and 1B: Issued - December 12, 2008
Phase 2: Issued - June 10, 2016
Phase 2 No Regrets: Issued - February 1, 2024
Inskip Diversion Dam Removal Project: Issued - March 7, 2024
Waterbodies: Battle Creek and associated tributaries

Project Description:

In 1999, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), United State Bureau of Reclamation (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 emorandum of Understanding (MOU) 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 Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project (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 Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC] Project No. 1121). The Restoration Project is being 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 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 Phase 2 of the Restoration Project.

Restoration Project - Phase 2 No Regrets

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 Phase 2 No Regrets of the Restoration Project, which is a subset of actions proposed under Phase 2 of the Restoration Project. Phase 2 No Regrets includes removal of South Diversion Dam, South Canal, Soap Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, Lower Ripley Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, and Coleman Diversion Dam.

Related Documents

• Memorandum of Understanding (1999)
• Restoration Project – Phase 2 No Regrets
• 401 Certification - February 1, 2024
  • California Environmental Quality Act Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program - Appendix A of Reclamation's Record of Decision
• Restoration Project – Phase 2
  • 401 Certification – June 10, 2016
    • Petition for Reconsideration – July 11, 2016
    • Attachment A
    • Notice of Determination
• Draft Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Impact Report – July 2003
  • Contents
  • Executive Summary
  • Chapter 1 - Introduction, Organization, and Process
  • Chapter 2 - Purpose and Need, Project Description, and Project Background
  • Chapter 3 - Project Alternatives
  • Chapter 4 - Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
    • Sections: 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 |
      4.10 | 4.11 | 4.12 | 4.13 | 4.14 | 4.15 | 4.16 | 4.17
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Appendices - Contents |  A |  B |  C |  D |  E |  F |  G |  H |  I |  J |  K |  L |  M |  N |  O |  P |  Q
  • Figures: 4.2.01 | 4.2.02 | 4.2.03 | 4.2.04 | 4.2.05 | 4.2.06 | 4.2.07 | 4.2.08 | 4.2.09 |
    4.2.10 | 4.2.11 | 4.2.12 | 4.2.13 | 4.2.14 | 4.2.15 | 4.2.16 | 4.2.17 | 4.2.18 | 4.2.1
• Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement / Revised Environmental Impact Report – February 2005
  • Table of Contents
  • Executive Summary
  • Chapter 1 - Introduction
  • Chapter 2 - Purpose and Need, Project Description, and Project Background
  • Chapter 3 - Project Alternatives
  • Chapter 4 - Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
  • Chapter 5 - Consultation and Coordination
  • Chapter 6 - Related Projects
  • Chapter 7 - Summary
  • Chapter 8 - List of Contributors
  • Chapter 9 - References
  • Appendices:  F |  K  |  L |  M |  O

Restoration Project – Inskip Diversion Dam Removal Project

On October 28, 2022, PG&E filed a license amendment request with FERC to remove Inskip Diversion Dam, adjacent infrastructure, and fish ladder. On March 8, 2023, PG&E filed a certification application with the State Water Board under section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The actions that PG&E will implement for this project include: (1) remove Inskip Diversion Dam and associated radial gates, intake gates, screens, buttresses, steel cladding, and fish ladder; (2) dredge and remove approximately 30,000 to 56,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediments and debris from the impoundment area behind Inskip Diversion Dam; and (3) restore the stream channel to a natural condition by creating a series of pools and riffles/steps/cascades to provide channel stability.

Related Documents

• Water Quality Certification for the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project License Amendment for Removal of Inskip Diversion Dam – March 7, 2024