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Independent regulatory commissions

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Approves New Phase 2 of the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) application to amend its license for the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on May 21, 2025, allowing for the implementation of the new Phase 2 of the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project. This project aims to restore fish habitat on Battle Creek and its tributaries through modification of the project facilities and operations. The new Phase 2 amendment proposes to remove four dams, including the South Diversion Dam, Soap Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, Lower Ripley Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, and Coleman Diversion Dam. The project has been a collaborative effort between PG&E, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved a new Phase 2 of the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project, allowing for the implementation of a project that aims to restore fish habitat on Battle Creek and its tributaries.
  • The new Phase 2 amendment proposes to remove four dams, including the South Diversion Dam, Soap Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, Lower Ripley Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, and Coleman Diversion Dam.
  • The project has been a collaborative effort between Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
  • The Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project is located on the mainstem Battle Creek and the North Fork and South Fork Battle Creek in Shasta and Tehama counties, California.
  • The project aims to benefit the state and federally listed threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon and the state and federally listed endangered Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon.
  • The project will be accomplished through modification of the existing Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project in three distinct phases: Phase 1A, Phase 1B, and Phase 2.

Statistics:

  • The Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project has a capacity of 11 MW and an average annual generation of 27 GWh.
  • The Restoration Project aims to reestablish approximately 42 miles of prime salmon and steelhead habitat in the North and South Forks of Battle Creek, plus an additional six miles of habitat on the tributaries of Battle Creek.
  • The project proposes to release cold spring water to adjacent stream sections and manage those instream flows.
  • The project aims to reduce the effects of operations on the stream function by more closely mimicking the natural hydrology in the watershed.

Sources:

  • FERC Document Accession #: 20250521-3062
  • FERC Project No. 1121-135
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, 56 F.P.C. 994 (1976)
  • U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, 1999 Memorandum of Understanding
  • FERC Order (2009 1A Order), approved on August 25, 2009
  • FERC Order (2010 1B Order), approved on May 21, 2010
  • FERC Environmental Assessment (EA) for the licensee's proposed new Phase 2, issued on April 3, 2025

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