Pit No. 4 Diversion dam
Pit No. 4 Diversion
Pit No. 4 Diversion is a private-owned dam located in Big Bend, California, along the scenic Pit River. This concrete dam was completed in 1927 and stands at an impressive height of 110 feet, with a hydraulic height of 67 feet. The primary purpose of this hydroelectric structure is evident in its design and operation, serving as a vital source of renewable energy in the region.
With a maximum discharge capacity of 77,000 cubic feet per second and a controlled spillway width of 136 feet, Pit No. 4 Diversion is equipped to manage high water levels and mitigate potential flood risks. This dam plays a crucial role in water resource management, providing storage capacity of 1,970 acre-feet and serving a drainage area of 4,643 square miles. Despite its age, the dam is regularly inspected and regulated by both state and federal agencies to ensure its structural integrity and operational safety.
The high hazard potential and very high risk assessment of Pit No. 4 Diversion highlight the importance of effective risk management and emergency preparedness measures in place. With its historical significance and continued contribution to hydroelectric power generation, this dam serves as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and sustainable energy production in California.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Pit No. 4 Diversion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Burney C A Burney Falls Nr Burney Ca | 168 cfs | → |
| Pit R Bl Pit No 1 Ph Nr Fall River Mills Ca | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Hat C Nr Hat Creek Ca | 179 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R A Delta Ca | 556 cfs | → |
| Cow C Nr Millville Ca | 214 cfs | → |
| Anderson-Cottonwood Id Cn At Sharon St Redding Ca | 255 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pit No. 4 Diversion .
Campgrounds
- Mcarthur - Burney Falls State Park
- Dusty Campground
- Dusty Camp
- Hawkins Landing
- Deadlum
- Deadlun Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Lower Pit River Canyon
- Begins Immediately Southwest Of Fall River Mills, Ca To It Flows Into Shasta Lake And The Sacramento River.
- Lower Horse Creek Canyon
- Begins 2.5 Miles West Of Little Valley, California To Juncture With The Pit River.
- Upper Pit River Canyon
- Begins Near Muck Valley To Ends Two Miles From The Fall River Valley
Track Pit No. 4 Diversion in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Pit No. 4 Diversion
Where does the data for Pit No. 4 Diversion come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Pit No. 4 Diversion .