Appraisal report : water resources appraisal for hydroelectric licensing : Kings River Basin, California

United States. Federal Power Commission. Bureau of Power

The Federal Power Act, as amended, authorizes the Federal Power Commission to undertake investigations of the water resources of any region to be developed; to cooperate with the executive departments and other agencies of Federal and State governments in water resources planning; and to issue licenses to non-Federal interests for the construction, operation, and maintenance of dams, powerhouses, and appurtenances for hydroelectric power development and other purposes. The Act reserves to the United States the right to take over a non-publicly owned project upon expiration of the license after paying the licensee's net investment in the project, not to exceed fair value of property taken, plus severance damages, if any. Projects to he licensed or relicensed must, in the judgment of the Commission, be best adapted to a comprehensive plan for improving waterways for the benefit of interstate commerce, for water power development, and for other beneficial public uses, including recreation. This report on the Kings River Basin, California, has been prepared by the staff of the Federal Power Commission as a part of a program of Water Resources Appraisals for Hydroelectric Licensing. It is intended primarily to provide information which the Commission and its staff may use or build upon, as appropriate, when considering matters related to hydroelectric licensing, relicensing, or recommendation for Federal takeover. Licensing considerations are currently underway for several projects in the Kings River Basin. The report has been prepared to correlate and, when possible, to supplement available information and thus enable the staff and the Commission to act expeditiously on matters pertaining to the development of the hydroelectric power potential of the Kings River Basin within the limitations of other desirable water uses. The report is a staff study which was not prepared for adoption or approval by the Commission, and in no way does it commit or prejudge later Commission action. Much of the material in the report is based on reconnaissance-type information, but more precise data have been used where available. The basic material used in preparing the report has largely been abstracted from previous reports of Federal, State, and local entities. Many agencies and individuals have participated in discussions pertaining to the information in the report and have provided useful background data or suggestions. The plans presented, however, do not necessarily carry the endorsement of any agency or group.