Acting commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, David Palumbo, speaks at Shasta Dam's 80th anniversary celebration.
SHASTA LAKE, Calif. – On June 20, 2025, the Bureau of Reclamation marked a major milestone: 80 years since the completion of Shasta Dam and Powerplant, a cornerstone of California’s Central Valley Project and one of the most significant engineering feats in the agency’s history.
On June 20, 1945, Reclamation officially took control of the dam and powerplant from Pacific Constructors Incorporated, concluding a massive construction effort that began in 1938 and spanned nearly seven years.
The commemorative event featured remarks from Reclamation leaders, historic video exhibits, and guided tours showcasing the dam’s legacy and its role in the broader Central Valley Project.
“We are proud to celebrate the completion of Shasta Dam and honor the more than 4,700 workers and their families who made this place their home from 1938 to 1945,” said Acting Regional Director Adam Nickels. “Their dedication created one of the most iconic engineering achievements in Reclamation’s history.”
Towering at 602 feet, Shasta Dam is the second-largest concrete dam in the United States, behind only Grand Coulee Dam. It stretches 3,460 feet across the Sacramento River and contains enough concrete to build a 3-foot-wide sidewalk around the Earth's equator. Construction required the placement of 6.5 million cubic yards—or roughly 15 million tons—of concrete, poured around the clock over four and a half years.
“I would like to thank all the professionals who work at Shasta Dam, helping to ensure Reclamation delivers reliable water and power to communities across California,” said Northern California Area Office Manager Elizabeth Hadley. “We are proud of their commitment and the role they play in maintaining this critical infrastructure for future generations.”
The Shasta Powerplant, built as part of the original project, is the largest federally owned hydroelectric facility in California. With a generation capacity of 710 megawatts, it produces enough clean energy to power between 355,000 and 710,000 homes, while generating $50–100 million in annual revenue for the federal government.
Shasta Dam also forms Shasta Reservoir, the largest water storage facility in California. It holds more than 4.5 million acre-feet of water—enough to cover 3 million football fields one foot deep—and is vital to flood control, water supply, and environmental management across the Central Valley. The dam regulates the Sacramento River and supports deliveries for agricultural, municipal, industrial, and ecological needs throughout the region.
To see photos and video from the event visit Reclamation’s Flickr album at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usbr/albums/72177720327078144
For more information about Shasta Dam, visit https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ncao/.
