Crane Valley Seismic Retrofit Project
A seismic retrofit project for the Crane Valley Dam at Bass Lake is underway to improve the dam’s ability to safely withstand seismic events. This website will provide the public with up to date information on the progress of the Crane Valley Seismic Retrofit Project and the Bass Lake Level Reduction. Click on the update buttons for the latest information.
PG&E worked with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) over the past few years to assess the seismic vulnerability of the Crane Valley Dam and to develop a retrofit project to strengthen the dam to meet state and federal dam safety standards. The dam seismic retrofit design will involve constructing large rock buttresses on both the upstream and downstream sides of the dam along sections susceptible to significant slumping in an earthquake.
Start Date
Environmental Review of the project begins in 2009 and current estimates anticipate retrofit construction to be completed in 2011.
Public Safety is PG&E's Top Priority
Bass Lake will remain open for all recreational uses throughout all months of the year during the seismic retrofit project. However, until the retrofit construction is completed in 2011, Bass Lake’s water level will be reduced and maintained at a lower level in order to reduce the risk of downstream flooding by a seismic event.
Retrofit Project Status
The Crane Valley Seismic Retrofit Project requires review under both the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the state California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review processes. Under NEPA, the project's lead regulatory agency is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) which has issued an Environmental Assessment (EA). Click here to view or download the FERC Environmental Assessment.
The lead agency for the state CEQA process is the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) which has issued a Notice of Preparation for the EIR and held a Public Scoping Meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Click here to view or download the DSOD Notice of Preparation.
Recent News / Updates
December 15th, 2009
PG&E applied to the US Army Corps of Engineering for a Clean Water Act 404 Permit related to the implementation of the Crane Valley Dam Retrofit to improve seismic stability and bring the dam up to the current Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) standards.
October 9th, 2009
PUBLIC NOTICE: Dam Crest Closed to Pedestrian Traffic October 12-16, 2009
As part of the continuing preparations for seismic modifications to the Dam, PG&E will be excavating a number of test pits on the crest of the dam. This additional information will allow PG&E to better plan construction sequence and schedule. The test pits will be opened, assessed, and filled back in during the week and pose no risk to dam safety.