PG&E Requests Short-Term Water Flow Changes for California Hydro Project
Published Date: 6/4/2025
Notice
Summary
Pacific Gas and Electric Company wants to temporarily change how much water flows through its DeSabla-Centerville hydroelectric project in Butte County, California. This affects local waterways and could impact the environment, so the public and agencies have until June 27, 2025, to share their thoughts. No direct money changes are mentioned, but the decision could influence future water and power management.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary Cut in Minimum River Flows
If you live in Butte County, California, the licensee requests a temporary reduction in instantaneous minimum flows: West Branch Feather River from 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 7 cfs (averaged over 48 hours) and Philbrook Creek from 2 cfs to a target between 1 and 2 cfs (averaged over 48 hours). The requested changes would begin once the Commission approves them and run through September 30, 2025.
Protects Spring-run Chinook Salmon
The licensee says the temporary variance is intended to preserve cold water storage and increase flow to Butte Creek during hot summer months to minimize high temperature effects to Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon. Implementation and any changes under the variance would proceed with concurrence of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and would run through September 30, 2025 if approved.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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