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The year is almost over, but before it ends, join National Hydropower Association (NHA) for one last regional meeting! From December 10 – 11, 2024, the water power industry will be gathering in Redding, California, for two days of community, connection, and education. The California Regional Meeting is an excellent opportunity for water power professionals across hydropower and pumped storage to connect and learn alongside one another.
This year’s California Regional Meeting will take place at the Sheraton Redding Hotel, which is located alongside the Sacramento River. Hosted by Pacific Gas and Electric Company and sponsored by 23 organizations, the meeting offers insight to those looking to stay up to date on the issues and opportunities affecting water power across California.
NHA’s California Regional Meeting provides a forum to address regional issues and location-specific challenges, as well as exploring topics top-of-mind for California’s water power community. This year’s meeting features two unique tour opportunities, which are explored in depth below.
TOUR OF BUREAU OF RECLAMATION’S SHASTA DAM
Beginning at 9:00 AM PT on December 11, attendees will start their day with a tour of Shasta Dam, the eighth-tallest dam in the United States at 602 feet in height. Located in the northern end of the Sacramento Valley, the dam creates Shasta Lake for flood control, water storage, and hydropower.
The groundbreaking ceremony of Shasta Dam occurred in 1937, and construction continued through WWII before completing in 1945. At the time of its completion, Shasta Dam was the second highest dam in the world, as well as the highest man-made structure in California.
Attendees taking part in the Shasta Dam tour will have the opportunity walk across the top of the dam, take an elevator ride down 400 feet, and go on a short walk through the dam to experience a stunning view of the spillway.
With a special tour inside the powerhouse, guides from the Bureau of Reclamation will share more about the rich history of Shasta Dam and the important role it plays in the Central Valley Project.
TOUR OF PIT 1 HYRDROELECTRIC PROJECT
After returning to the hotel for lunch, the second tour of the day starts at 1:00 PM PT. Located over an hour from downtown Redding, Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project is a 65.5 MW hydro facility owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Pit 1 is located on the Pit and Fall Rivers near the communities of Fall River Mills and McArthur in northeastern Shasta County. The Pit 1 Powerhouse contains two vertical-shaft, Francis-style turbines.
Constructed after WWI, the Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project was once known as the backbone of the Western power grid. The reliable power Pit 1 produced helped not only the Bay Area flourish, but it stood as an electrification landmark for generations, a testament to water power’s transformative effects across California.
Attendees will have ample opportunity to view Pit 1’s facilities and to learn more about its fascinating history – detailed in this excellent video! The tour concludes back at the hotel at 5:00 PM PT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you’re interested in attending NHA’s California Regional Meeting, check out the event site here for details on hotel accommodations, registration rates, and more information when it becomes available.
If you need additional assistance, please reach out to Ellie Rubalow (ellie@hydro.org)., Events Specialist at NHA, for more information.
