Pit No. 5 Diversion

Pit River· Shasta, California· Built 1944· Concrete· 58 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Pit No. 5 Diversion is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1944 and is 82 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 58 ft (taller than 66.2% in CA)
Dam Length340 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage327 acre-ft
Normal Storage330 acre-ft
Surface Area32 acres
Drainage Area4,610 sq mi
Max Discharge132,000 cfs
Year Completed1944 (82 years old)
NID IDCA00402

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 18, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Safety of Dams

Ownership

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pit No. 5 Diversion?

Pit No. 5 Diversion is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Pit No. 5 Diversion?

Pit No. 5 Diversion is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pit No. 5 Diversion built?

Pit No. 5 Diversion was completed in 1944, making it 82 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Pit No. 5 Diversion?

Pit No. 5 Diversion serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Pit No. 5 Diversion?

Pit No. 5 Diversion has a dam height of 58 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Pit No. 5 Diversion last inspected?

Pit No. 5 Diversion was last inspected on September 18, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.