Project 184 includes four storage reservoirs (Lake Aloha, Echo Lake, Silver Lake, and Caples Lake), a diversion dam on the South Fork American river (SFAR), and several smaller diversions on tributaries to the SFAR. The water conveyance facilities consist of canals, flumes, siphons, tunnels, forebay, penstock, and powerhouse.

Project 184 components occupy both private lands and land administered by the Eldorado National Forest (ENF).

 Reservoirs

Two of the reservoirs, Lake Aloha (formerly known as Medley Lakes) and Echo Lake, are located approximately five miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, at elevations of approximately 8,114 and 7,405 feet above mean sea level (msl), respectively.

Caples Lake is located in Alpine County at an elevation of about 7,794 feet above msl, and Silver Lake is located in Amador County at an elevation of about 7,250 feet above msl.

Diversion Dam

The El Dorado Diversion Dam is located on the SFAR, about 1.5 miles downstream of the town of Kyburz, at an elevation of 3,910 feet above msl. The dam diverts water from the SFAR into the 22.3-mile-long El Dorado Canal.

Water Conveyance

The El Dorado Canal, including flume, tunnel, siphons and canal sections, traverses steep slopes on the south side of the SFAR canyon. The El Dorado Canal terminates at the El Dorado Forebay, located just north of Pollock Pines, at an elevation of about 3,787 feet.

Forebay

The Forebay re-regulates water into a penstock that conveys water to the El Dorado Powerhouse, located on the SFAR at an elevation of 1,880 feet above msl. Power generated at the El Dorado Powerhouse is delivered to the PG&E transmission and distribution system at the Powerhouse switchyard. The Forebay also re-regulates water for consumptive water supply into El Dorado Irrigation District's Main Ditch

Living, working or recreating below or near a dam—know your risk. Dam failures are low probability but have high consequences. The public service flyer linked below contains useful information on being ready and prepared in case of an emergency.

Printable Dam Safety Flyer

In 1922, the FERC issued the first hydroelectric license for Project 184. The license, issued to PG&E, was valid for 50 years and expired in 1972. The second FERC license was also issued to PG&E with an expiration date of February 23, 2002. The project was transferred to EID on April 2, 1999, and EID filed an application for new license (relicensing), which was published in the Federal Register on February 11, 2001.

On June 26, 2001, a number of interested stakeholders agreed to engage in a public, collaborative process with the goal of executing a multi-party settlement agreement that would resolve outstanding issues for the project's relicensing. FERC prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) containing background information, analysis of impacts, and support for related license articles. The EIS was issued on March 7, 2003.

On April 29, 2003, EID submitted the Comprehensive Settlement Agreement to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The agreement was signed by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, California Department of Fish and Game, County of Alpine, Citizens for Water, County of Amador, Friends of the River, the American Whitewater Affiliation, and several individuals.

FERC Approves License
On October 18, 2006, FERC issued a new 40-year license for Project 184. The license includes conditions that dictate project operations, resource monitoring, restoration measures, recreation facility improvements and maintenance, and other project-related requirements associated with Project 184. At the time the FERC license was issued, implementation of these conditions was estimated to cost approximately $40 million over the 40-year term of the license.

FERC License Agreements

Project 184 Document Library

The District's recreation division maintains the facilities that associated with Project 184 in accordance with our FERC license agreement documents.

RECREATION

Silver Lake and Silver Lake West Campground , located in Amador County and located off Highway 88.

Caples Lake Boat Launch, located in Amador County located off Highway 88.

Forebay Reservoir, located in Pollock Pines near Highway 50.