State Water Project
Information About
 Hyatt Powerplant was constructed
in the bedrock below Lake Oroville. A cavern the size of two football
fields was dug out to house the facility. Of the six units, three
can pump water or generate power. (click the image for a larger view) |
Located in rock in the left abutment near the axis of Oroville Dam, Edward Hyatt Powerplant is an underground, hydroelectric, pumping-generating facility. Construction of the plant began in 1964 and was completed in 1967.
Hyatt Powerplant maximizes power production through a pumped-storage operation where water, released for power in excess of local and downstream requirements, is returned to storage in Lake Oroville during off-peak periods and is used for generation during peak power demands.
Water from the lake is conveyed to the units through penstocks and branch lines. After passing through the units, water is discharged through the draft tubes to one free surface and one full-flow tailrace tunnel.
The facility was named for Edward Hyatt, who was State Engineer (1927-1950) of the Division of Water Resources under the Department of Public Works. The Division was the predecessor to the Department of Water Resources
Pumping
| Installed Capacity | 5,610 cfs, 519,000 cfs |
| Normal Static Head | 500-660 feet |
| Design Dynamic Head | 592 feet |
| Number of Units | 3 (p/g) |
| Unit Size | 1,870 cfs, 173,000 hp |
Generating
| Installed Capacity | 819 mVA, 16,950 cfs |
| Normal Static Head | 410-676 feet |
| Design Dynamic Head: | 615 feet |
| Number of Units | 6 (3 g, 3 p/g) |
| Unit Size: | 3 @ 132 mVA, 2,800 cfs 3 @ 141 mVA , 2,850 cfs |
| Penstock/Diameter | 2 @ 22 feet |