Pit No. 3 Diversion
Pit No. 3 Diversion is a concrete dam located in Shasta County, California, built in 1925. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Pit No. 3 Diversion
The primary purpose of Pit No. 3 Diversion is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Pacific Gas And Electric Company (private). It impounds the Pit River near Big Bend.
The dam stands 135 feet tall and stretches 494 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,293 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 41,907 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4,606 square miles. Completed in 1925, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/26/2023.
At 135 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The California dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Shasta |
| Nearest City | Big Bend |
| River/Stream | Pit River |
| Coordinates | 41.02155, -121.67556 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 135 ft |
| Dam Height | 135 ft |
| Dam Length | 494 ft |
| Year Completed | 1925 (101 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 41,907 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 41,907 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 41,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,293 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4,606 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 70,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/26/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00395 |
| Federal ID | CA00395 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |