The large size of the Pelton wheels used at Big Creek can be seen from this picture taken during a repair project in 1948

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  Interior view of Big Creek Powerhouse #2a shows the large Pelton wheels flanking each of the plant's two generating units

  Visual Materials

  This interior view of Big Creek Powerhouse #2a shows the large Pelton wheels flanking each of the plant's two generating units. Because of the tremendous water pressure caused by the huge static head on these units, two Pelton wheels, one on each side, drive each generator. This reduces stresses on the common shafrt connecting the water wheels and the generator rotor.

  photCL SCE 12 - 00226

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  These "portable" metal bunkhouses used at Camp 37 must be ranked as one of the less successful innovations on the Big Creek Project

  Visual Materials

  These "portable" metal bunkhouses used at Camp 37 must be ranked as one of the less successful innovations on the Big Creek Project. One can only wonder what it must have been like to try to sleep inside one of them during hot summer nights!

  photCL SCE 12 - 00108

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  This 1922 map shows the proposed ultimate development of the Big Creek Project to a size even larger than that first envisioned by John Eastwood

  Visual Materials

  This 1922 map shows the proposed ultimate development of the Big Creek Project to a size even larger than that first envisioned by John Eastwood. Still later plans added more powerhouses on the South Fork of the San Joaquin, but none were built before the depression ended work. Today, the Balsam Meadows Plant is near the site of old Powerhouse #5. Pg. 103.

  photCL SCE 11 - 00208

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  The winter snows of the Sierras were the entire reason for the Big Creek Project

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  The winter snows of the Sierras were the entire reason for the Big Creek Project. As the heavy snowpack melted, the runoff water was stored in reservoirs, then used to generate electricity before going down to irrigate crops in the San Joaquin Valley below. Unfortunately, the heavy snowfalls at higher altitudes made construction of portions of the project very difficult, shortening the working season and making transportation difficult.

  photCL SCE 12 - 00117