Spring Creek Dam, Hydroelectric dam in Shasta County, United States
Spring Creek Dam is an embankment hydroelectric facility on Spring Creek in Shasta County that holds water behind a barrier roughly 60 meters (196 feet) high. The structure channels stored water through turbines to generate electricity for California's power grid.
Construction began in 1961 to address severe pollution from an abandoned mining operation in the area. The facility was developed to manage water quality and control the flow of contaminated runoff from the site.
The dam stands as a testament to environmental engineering solutions, transforming a severely contaminated waterway into a managed water resource system.
The facility sits along a road leading to the former mining area and is surrounded by industrial and protected land. To view the dam, stop along the nearby road and follow any posted signage indicating viewpoints.
The facility actively removes metal contamination from water that would otherwise flow into the Sacramento River downstream. This type of water treatment combined with power generation is an unusual dual purpose for a hydroelectric installation.
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