Power Plant and Appurtenances – New Melones Lake

Completed in 1978 by American Bridge, the Power Plant and Appurtenances – New Melones Lake project consisted of field fabricating and erecting a surge tank liner starting at the surge tee approximately 550 feet underground. The surge liner, approximately 23 feet in diameter, projected 70 feet horizontally from the tee and continued to line the surge shaft for another 200 feet vertically. A surge tank, approximately 55 feet in diameter, was then erected on top of the surge shaft, resulting in a total height above ground of approximately 130 feet. Several other components, such as the power penstocks, were also field fabricated and erected in the powerhouse area.