News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Connor Announces Contract Award for Removing Wildcat Dam on Battle Creek

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, 09/09/2009 22:54

For Release: September 09, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded the first construction contract for the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project (Restoration Project) - the removal of Wildcat Diversion Dam and associated conveyance systems on the North Fork of Battle Creek, located within 5 miles of Manton, California, in Shasta and Tehama Counties.  The contract was awarded on September 1, 2009, in the amount of $2,062,555.00, to Contractor Services Group, Inc., of West Sacramento, California.

The principal work under this first contract includes removing Wildcat Diversion Dam and Pipeline to allow for flows to remain in the creek and not be diverted for hydropower production.  Construction is planned to begin in November 2009.  Additional Restoration Project contracts, including a contract to install fish screens and ladders on the North Battle Creek Feeder and Eagle Canyon Diversion Dams, are scheduled to be awarded in 2010.

The CALFED Bay-Delta Program-supported Restoration Project will enable naturally produced salmonids to safely access high quality spawning grounds thereby contributing to their population growth and recovery.  The species that will benefit include threatened and endangered Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead trout.  At the same time, the project will minimize the loss of renewable energy produced by the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).  The Restoration Project will be accomplished through the modification of PG&E's Hydroelectric Project facilities and operations, including instream flow releases.

"Battle Creek offers an extraordinary restoration opportunity because of its geology, hydrology, and habitat suitability for several anadromous species," said Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor.  "The overall project will be among the largest cold water anadromous fish restoration efforts in North America, restoring approximately 42 miles of habitat in Battle Creek, and an additional 6 miles of habitat in tributaries of Battle Creek."

Reclamation, in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, and PG&E, began work on this project in June 1999.

For additional information, please visit the website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/battlecreek/index.html

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