Visual Materials

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

Description: 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.
Type: Visual Materials(Opens in new tab)
Date: undated
Call number: photCL SCE 12 - 00117
Find out more: View in the Huntington Digital Library

Although construction work continued through the depths of the winter of 1912-1913. the Big Creek Project seemed very isolated from the outside world

Visual Materials

Although construction work continued through the depths of the winter of 1912-1913, the Big Creek Project seemed very isolated from the outside world. Getting the U.S. Mail from the railhead at Camp #2 to the most distant camps was a necessary, if difficult, task.

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An Edison snow surveyor prepares to force a hollow tube into the snow

Visual Materials

An Edison snow surveyor prepares to force a hollow tube into the snow. Measurements made from the resulting core sample will reveal the water content of the snow. When coupled with the depth of the snow pack, hydrographers can estimate the amount of runoff water that will be available in the upcoming spring and summer. from this data, Edison planners can estimate how much hydroelectric generation will be available for the system in the coming months.

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Big Creek, Stevenson Creek Test Dam - Close

Visual Materials

Big Creek, Stevenson Creek Test Dam - Close-up view of heavy rock cut in road construction for Project 3

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Big Creek, Florence Lake Dam

Visual Materials

Big Creek, Florence Lake Dam - [Pair of "Best" Tractors] hauling trailer with #9 Crusher over Kaiser Pass to Florence Lake Dam after one of the early snows.

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This map shows the powerhouses and main reservoirs on the Big Creek Project

Visual Materials

This map shows the powerhouses and main reservoirs on the Big Creek Project, as of 1986. Not shown are the tunnels and conduits that transfer water between reservoirs.

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Big Creek Powerhouse #4

Visual Materials

Big Creek Powerhouse #4 - Photo taken at site before any construction was started. View of Fresno County side of canyon from across the river, with access road shown. Note snow on ground (Fresno side gets very little sunshine, snow had all melted on Madera County side)

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

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Although construction work continued through the depths of the winter of 1912-1913. the Big Creek Project seemed very isolated from the outside world

An Edison snow surveyor prepares to force a hollow tube into the snow

Big Creek, Stevenson Creek Test Dam - Close

Big Creek, Florence Lake Dam

This map shows the powerhouses and main reservoirs on the Big Creek Project

Big Creek Powerhouse #4