Pit 6 Dam, Gravity dam on Pit River, Shasta County, California.
Pit 6 Dam is a concrete gravity structure that blocks the Pit River in northern California and creates a reservoir behind it. The installation manages water flow across the landscape and generates electricity from the river's movement.
Pacific Gas and Electric built this dam in the 1960s to expand hydroelectric power production in northern California. It became part of a series of dams developed along the Pit River system.
The dam occupies land traditionally inhabited by Achomawi tribes who relied on the Pit River for fishing and sustenance before industrial development.
The site sits in a remote area of northern California and requires driving through mountain roads and forest regions. Summer and fall offer the best conditions for visiting when roads are clear and weather remains stable.
The project taps into volcanic groundwater from underground basins to supplement river flow during dry seasons. This natural water storage system allows for steadier power generation throughout the year.
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