Caribou Powerhouses Are Part of PG&E’s 362-Megawatt Upper North Fork Feather River System

CARIBOU, Plumas County — Caribou is closely tied to one of Plumas County’s most significant hydroelectric systems. California’s State Water Resources Control Board describes the Caribou No. 1 and No. 2 powerhouses as components of PG&E’s Upper North Fork Feather River Hydroelectric Project.

The larger project includes Lake Almanor, Butt Valley Reservoir and Belden Forebay, with eight generating units across five powerhouses totaling approximately 362.3 megawatts of nameplate capacity. Water diverted from Butt Valley Reservoir moves through separate tunnels and penstocks to the two Caribou powerhouses before reaching Belden Forebay and the North Fork Feather River system.

These technical specifications explain local water and energy infrastructure; they do not mean the plants continuously generate at maximum capacity or that a public tour is available. Operation can vary with water supply, maintenance, licensing requirements and grid demand.

What residents and visitors should know

Residents can review the State Water Board’s certification documents and FERC project records to understand the hydropower facilities, environmental obligations and agency contacts. Industrial structures should not be entered without authorization.

Primary source: California or Plumas County official information.

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