South Feather Power Project

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No. 2088

Tooms Launching Facility Tooms Launching Facility at
Little Grass Valley Reservoir
(Photo provided by State Water Board staff.)

Applicant: South Feather Water and Power Agency
County: Butte, Yuba, and Plumas
License Expiration Date: March 31, 2009
Water Quality Certification Status: Issued November 30, 2018
Waterbody: South Fork Feather River, Lost Creek, Slate Creek and associated tributaries
FERC Licensing Process: Hybrid Traditional and Alternative Licensing Process

Project Description:

The South Feather Power Project (Project) includes four hydroelectric developments located on the South Fork Feather River, Lost Creek (tributary to the South Fork Feather River), and Slate Creek (tributary to the North Yuba River). The Project consists of four powerhouses, three diversion impoundments, and five reservoirs (Little Grass Valley Reservoir, Sly Creek Reservoir, Lost Creek Reservoir, Miners Ranch Reservoir, and Ponderosa Reservoir). The Project stores 171,986 acre-feet of water and generates an average of 514.1 gigawatt hours of power annually.

The proposed Project will increase minimum streamflows, implement measures to improve aquatic habitat and protect sensitive species, and implement measures to maintain and enhance existing recreational opportunities which includes new whitewater boating opportunities.

Settlement Agreement:

On October 23, 2012, the South Feather Water and Power Agency, Department of Water Resources (DWR), and State Water Contractors, Incorporated entered into the Settlement Agreement by and among South Feather Water and Power Agency, Department of Water Resources of the State of California and State Water Contractors, Incorporated (Settlement Agreement).  The Settlement Agreement allows DWR to request that South Feather Water and Power Agency temporarily cease discharges from the Kelly Ridge Powerhouse into the Thermalito Diversion Pool and release an equivalent amount of water into Lake Oroville.  Under the Settlement Agreement, DWR will reimburse South Feather Water and Power Agency for all fees, penalties, charges, lost power revenue, and other amounts incurred or lost as a result of the shutdown of the Kelly Ridge Powerhouse.  The purpose of the Settlement Agreement is to assist DWR in meeting the water temperature standards it committed to as part of the Settlement Agreement for Licensing of the Oroville Facilities.  The water temperature standards are for the benefit of fish, as measured at the Feather River Fish Hatchery and at Robinson Riffle.

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