Ever Wonder Where Trinity River Water Goes?
If you’ve ever stood beside Trinity Lake or driven along the Trinity River, you might assume the water simply continues west toward the Pacific Ocean.
Some of it does.
But some Trinity River water takes a completely different journey—through mountains, tunnels, reservoirs and powerhouses before eventually reaching the Sacramento River.
It’s part of one of Northern California’s most fascinating water stories.
Two Directions for Trinity River Water
Trinity Lake sits in the Trinity River watershed, on the western side of Northern California’s mountain divide. Naturally, the Trinity River flows west, eventually joining the Klamath River on its journey to the Pacific Ocean.
But the construction of the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project created another route.
Today, part of the water stored in Trinity Lake is diverted east toward the Sacramento River watershed.
And Lewiston is where the water splits.
Trinity Lake → Trinity Dam → Lewiston
The journey begins at Trinity Lake, created by Trinity Dam.
Water released through Trinity Dam enters Lewiston Reservoir, a smaller regulating reservoir just downstream.
From here, Trinity water can take two very different paths.
Some water is released into the lower Trinity River and continues west toward the Klamath River and Pacific Ocean.
Another portion is diverted east into the Clear Creek Tunnel.
This is where things get really interesting.
Through a Mountain
The Clear Creek Tunnel carries diverted Trinity River water approximately 10.7 miles through the Trinity Mountains.
Think about that for a moment.
Instead of following its natural river channel toward the Pacific, the water is literally transported through the mountains into another watershed.
At the other end, the water reaches the Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse, where the falling water is used to generate hydroelectric power.
After passing through the powerhouse, it enters Whiskeytown Lake.
From Whiskeytown to Keswick
Whiskeytown Lake isn't the end of the journey.
Water can continue through the Spring Creek Tunnel and Power Conduit, where it travels toward another hydroelectric facility, the Spring Creek Powerplant.
From there, it reaches Keswick Reservoir.
And Keswick is an especially important point in the story because this is where diverted Trinity water becomes part of the larger Sacramento River/Central Valley Project system.
I like to think of it this way:
Lewiston is where the water splits.Keswick is where the waters meet.
From Keswick Dam, water enters the Sacramento River and becomes part of the enormous Central Valley Project system that helps supply water for agriculture, communities, wildlife and other uses throughout California.
A Remarkable Feat of Engineering
The Trinity River Division was authorized in 1955, and major facilities were constructed during the following years.
Trinity Dam was completed in 1962, while Lewiston Dam, Whiskeytown Dam and the Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse followed as the system came together in the early 1960s.
President John F. Kennedy even traveled to Whiskeytown in September 1963 to dedicate Whiskeytown Dam—just weeks before his assassination.
More than 60 years later, the system is still operating.
Whether you view it from Trinity Dam, stand beside the water at Whiskeytown or watch the Sacramento River flowing below Keswick, you're looking at different pieces of the same enormous system.
And most of it is hidden from view.
Follow the Trinity Journey
Trinity Lake → Trinity Dam → Lewiston Reservoir → Clear Creek Tunnel → J.F. Carr Powerhouse → Whiskeytown Lake → Spring Creek Tunnel & Powerplant → Keswick Reservoir → Sacramento River
The next time you drive Highway 299 between Redding and Weaverville, remember that there is another traveler making that journey too:
Trinity River water—moving right through the mountains beneath you.
— Sadie, NorCal Trails & Tales
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