Upper North Fork Feather River Project, Hydroelectric complex in Plumas County, California
The Upper North Fork Feather River Project is a hydroelectric complex with three reservoirs, five powerhouses, and multiple tunnels spread across the Sierra Nevada. The system moves water through pipes and underground channels connecting the different facilities across the landscape.
Great Western Power Company developed the project in the early 1900s, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company took it over in 1930. That takeover marked the beginning of decades of expansion and upgrades to the entire system.
The complex earned the nickname 'Stairway of Power' because of how its dams and powerhouses step down the North Fork Feather River in sequence. Locals and engineers use this name to describe the stacked design that defines the whole system.
Visitors can explore the area to understand how the hydroelectric system works and see the landscape, with Lake Almanor being a key location to start. Since the project spans a large area, it helps to know which sections are accessible before you go.
The system moves water to Butt Valley powerhouse through a hidden underground tunnel called the Prattville intake, creating a network that runs largely out of sight. This underground design allows the project to transport water across long distances without changing the surface landscape.
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