FAQ / Key Facts

Who owns Pinecrest Lake?

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and the Stanislaus National Forest (STF) jointly manage Pinecrest Lake reservoir. PG&E owns the dam at Pinecrest Lake and is licensed and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to manage and operate the Pinecrest Lake reservoir as a component of the Spring Gap – Stanislaus Hydroelectric Project for the purpose of safely generating clean, renewable power.
Pinecrest Lake’s campgrounds, resorts, organization/club camps, commercial areas, post office, beaches, marina and cabins around the lake reside on public land within the Stanislaus National Forest. All recreation and commercial areas are permitted and managed by the STF.

Who manages Pinecrest Lake?

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and the Stanislaus National Forest (STF) coordinate to jointly manage the lake as a resource. Pinecrest Lake is managed by PG&E to produce hydroelectric power through its Spring Gap-Stanislaus Project. Pinecrest Lake’s campgrounds, resorts, commercial areas, and cabins around the lake are uses permitted and managed by the STF. The Pinecrest Day Use Area, which is located on the south and west shore of Pinecrest Lake and managed by the STF, includes a boat launch, amphitheater, fishing platform and a picnic area.

Hydroelectric projects are regulated and licensed by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), who (a) issues and administers licenses, (b) conducts environmental review of relicensing projects, (c) prescribes conditions that regulate hydroelectric project operations and (d) monitors compliance with license conditions.

When was Pinecrest Lake built?

Pinecrest Lake was built in the logging era of 1914. The lake was to provide drinking water to the lower elevations and generate power through the power house downstream at Spring Gap. Pinecrest Lake is the last in a series of dams constructed on the South Fork of the Stanislaus River. In the beginning the purpose was to divert water via ditches and flumes to the mining claims and towns in and around Columbia and the foothills. Much of this aqueduct system remains intact today and is still used as a portion of the main water system for the surrounding area. Pinecrest Lake today is a component of the PG&E Spring Gap – Stanislaus Hydropower regulated and licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and the Stanislaus National Forest Summit Ranger District (USFS)

Joint Management of Pinecrest Lake

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and the Stanislaus National Forest (STF) jointly manage Pinecrest Lake reservoir.
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