Pit 4 Diversion Dam, Pit River west of State Highway 89, Big Bend, Shasta County, CA

Significance: The Pit 4 Diversion Dam is important as an original feature of the Pit 3, 4 and 5 Hydroelectric Plant. Pit 4 Dam is an excellent example of early twentieth century hydroelectric architecture and represents the original aesthetic design characteristics of the overall Pit River system, while also unique and designed as a separate, individual feature. The system and the dam itself reflect a higher degree of architectural aesthetics than projects built in later years. Its impact on California has been significant, helping to support and encourage the industrial development of Northern California and especially the San Francisco Bay Area. Electricity from the Pit River has powered the growth of the state just as hydroelectric construction helped develop the economy of Shasta County. This remote system has had far-reaching effects and continues to remind us of a time when electric power was a new and awesome herald of our future potential.

Survey number: HAER CA-317

Building/structure dates: 1931 Initial Construction

Building/structure dates: 1955 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1964-1965 Subsequent Work

dams big bend pit diversion dam diversion dam pit river west highway state highway bend shasta shasta county california cindy l baker frank g baun david g de vries p m downing historic american engineering record elaine jackson retondo inc par environmental services o w peterson photo ultra high resolution high resolution san francisco bay power plants river system library of congress

1969 - 1980

Library of Congress

http://www.loc.gov/

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