Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No. 2299
Project Name: Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project
Tuolumne River upstream from Wards Ferry Bridge
(Image provided by State Water Board staff.)
Applicant: Turlock Irrigation District and Modesto Irrigation District
County: Tuolumne
License Expiration Date: April 30, 2016
Water Quality Certification Status: Issued (01/15/2021)”
Waterbody: Tuolumne River
FERC Licensing Process: Integrated Licensing Process
Turlock Irrigation District (TID) and Modesto Irrigation District (MID) (collectively referred to as the Districts) are the co-licensees of the 168-megawatt Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project (Project) located on the Tuolumne River in western Tuolumne County. The Tuolumne River is tributary to the San Joaquin River, which eventually flows into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, and then the San Francisco Bay. At an elevation of 830 feet, Don Pedro Reservoir stores over 2,000,000 acre-feet (AF) of water and has a surface area of slightly less than 13,000 acres.
The primary Project facilities include: Don Pedro Dam and Reservoir; a four unit powerhouse situated at the base of Don Pedro dam; related facilities including the Project spillway, outlet works, and switchyard; four dikes; and three developed recreational facilities.
The Districts are local public agencies authorized under the laws of the State of California to provide water supply for irrigation, municipal, and industrial uses and to provide retail electric service. Additionally, consistent with agreements between the Districts and the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF), the Project provides CCSF with a water bank of up to 570,000 AF. The water bank allows CCSF to more efficiently manage its water supply from the upstream Hetch Hetchy water system while meeting the senior water rights of the Districts.
The Project also provides: storage for flood management purposes in the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; recreational opportunities; and hydropower generation.
Related Documents
- Notice of Opportunity for Public Comments and Board Consideration of a Proposed Order Setting Aside Multiple Water Quality Certifications – March 11, 2024
- Notice of Opportunity to Respond to Petitions for Reconsideration of Water Quality Certification for Don Pedro Hydroelectric and La Grange Hydroelectric Projects (12/3/21) - Response deadline is January 7, 2022
- Final Water Quality Certification for the Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project and La Grange Hydroelectric Project – January 15, 2021
- Extended Comment Period for the Draft Water Quality Certification for the Don Pedro and La Grange Hydroelectric Projects – December 10, 2020
- Draft Water Quality Certification for the Don Pedro and La Grange Hydroelectric Projects - November 30, 2020
- Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement - April 12, 2019
- REA General Comments and Preliminary Conditions - January 29, 2018
- Comments on Draft License Application - March 3, 2014
- Comments on Updated Study Report - February 26, 2014
- Comments on Initial Study Report - March 11, 2013
- Study Dispute Process
- Withdrawal of Study Dispute - March 23, 2012
- FERC Response to Request to Reject Study Dispute - March 9, 2012
- Study Dispute Letter - January 11, 2012
Additional information about the Project can be found at the Districts’ relicensing website at: http://www.donpedro-relicensing.com/default.htm
