Big Creek No. 3 Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No. 120
Big Creek Powerhouse No.1
(Photo courtesy of State Water Board staff)
(click to enlarge)
Applicant: Southern California Edison (SCE)
County: Fresno
FERC License Expiration Date: February 28, 2009
Water Quality Certification Status: Final Issued - May 31, 2019
Water Bodies: Upper San Joaquin River.
FERC Licensing Processes: Alternative Licensing Process (ALP)
Project Description
The Big Creek No. 3 Project (Project) is one of seven FERC-licensed projects that are part of a hydroelectric system owned and operated by Southern California Edison (SCE), and referred to collectively as the Big Creek Hydroelectric System. The Project is located on the Upper San Joaquin River in Fresno County, and occupies approximately 508 acres of national forest land administered by the United States Forest Service. The Project facilities were constructed between 1923 and 1980 and consist of a dam (Dam 6); water conveyance penstocks; three construction adits; and the Big Creek Powerhouse No. 3. Big Creek Powerhouse No. 3 has five generating units and an authorized generation capacity of 165.375 megawatts (MW). Big Creek Powerhouse No. 3 receives water from the Dam 6 impoundment on the Upper San Joaquin River, and discharges into Redinger Reservoir (Big Creek No. 4 Hydroelectric Project - FERC Project No. 2017).
SCE proposes to continue operation of the Project without major modification, but has collaborated with involved stakeholders and resource and regulatory agency staff throughout the relicensing process to develop a range of environmental protection, enhancement, and mitigation measures for the Project. These measures are described in the Big Creek Alternative Licensing Process (ALP) Hydroelectric Projects Settlement Agreement (Settlement Agreement), which establishes certain obligations for the protection, mitigation, and enhancement of environmental resources affected by the Project once a new hydropower license is issued by FERC. SCE has requested that FERC and the State Water Board incorporate some provisions of the Settlement Agreement into the new Project license and water quality certification.
Related Documents
Water Quality Certification and Draft California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Final Water Quality Certification for the Six Big Creek Hydroelectric Projects (FERC Project Nos. 67, 120, 2085, 2086, 2174, and 2175) – May 31, 2019
Final CEQA Supplement for the Six Big Creek Hydroelectric Projects (FERC Project Nos. 67, 120 2085, 2086, 2174, and 2175) – May 31, 2019
- Appendix A – Programs and Measures Implemented by SCE to Reduce Overall Greenhouse Gas Emissions in California
- Appendix B – Response to Comments
- Notice of Determination
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
