Hell Hole Seasonal Storage Improvement Project
23 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2012082046
Lead Agency
Placer County Water Agency
Document Title
Hell Hole Seasonal Storage Improvement Project
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
10/6/2025
Document Description
On October 4, 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights received a water quality certification application from Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) for the Hell Hole Reservoir Seasonal Storage Increase Improvement Project (Project). The Project consists of modifications to the existing Hell Hole Spillway to allow for storage of additional water in the Hell Hole Reservoir during spring and summer after the peak of the runoff period via the installation of 18 Pneumatically controlled Obermeyer overflow gates along the crest of the spillway. Modifications to Hell Hole Dam include: (1) removal of the upper 6 inches of the existing ogee to construct new overflow gates; (2) construction of two concrete end abutments on the crest structure; and (3) construction of a 1.5-foot-wide concrete pier to separate regulating and non-regulating overflow gates. The Project also includes the construction of a new control building, transformer, propane tank, and security fence associated with the Hell Hole Dam modifications.
Contact Information
Name
Ben Ransom
Agency Name
Placer County Water Agency
Job Title
Environmental Services Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Bryan Muro
Agency Name
State Water Resources Control Board
Job Title
Water Resource Control Engineer
Contact Types
Responsible Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
unincorporated area
Counties
Placer
Regions
Countywide, Northern California
Cross Streets
Hell Hole Dam and Powerhouse Road and Eleven Pines Road
Zip
95734
Total Acres
3.11
Parcel #
N/A
State Highways
N/A
Airports
N/A
Schools
N/A
Waterways
Hell Hole Reservoir, Rubicon River, Five Lakes Creek
Township
14N
Range
14E
Section
16
Other Location Info
The Hell Hole Reservoir Seasonal Storage Increase Improvement Project can be accessed from Foresthill via Mosquito Ridge Road (Forest Road [FR] 96), Ralston Ridge Road (FR 23 and 25), Eleven Pines Road (FR 2), Hell Hole Dam and Powerhouse Road, and the existing spillway access road between the dam and spillway. Wentworth Springs Road from the Georgetown area may also be used.
Notice of Determination
Approving Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Approving Agency Role
Responsible Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Placer
Final Environmental Document Available at
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/water_quality_cert/middlefork_american_river_ferc2079.html
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
No
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
No
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
No
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
No
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
Attachments
Notice of Determination
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.