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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
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View in the Huntington Digital Library(Opens in new tab)
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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

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

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

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