Photo of the Week: The Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse

Written by: Winetta Owens

Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse – Photo Credit: Winetta OwensThe Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse (formerly Clear Creek Powerplant) is on Clear Creek at the outlet of the Clear Creek Tunnel on the northwestern extremity of Whiskeytown Dam and Reservoir. It is at the downstream end of the Clear Creek Tunnel, which transports water from Lewiston Reservoir to Whiskeytown Reservoir. When the powerhouse began operation in 1963, the generating capacity was 143,680 kilowatts. The units were uprated in 1984 to their current capacity of 154,400 kW. The average American home consumes about 10,000 kilowatts in a year. Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse is a peaking plant with its power first dedicated to meeting the energy requirements of the project facilities. The remaining energy is marketed to various preference customers in northern California. At full capacity, Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse can produce enough power to serve the electrical needs of approximately 120,000 homes, annually.

For more information on Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse, please visit: http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Shasta/Trinity River Division Project

Published on February 08, 2016