Banks Pumping Plant

The Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant is located 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of the Clifton Court Forebay and 11.5 miles (19 km) northeast of Livermore, CA. The plant is the first pumping plant for the California Aqueduct and the South Bay Aqueduct. It provides the necessary fluid head (potential energy) for the California Aqueduct to flow for approximately 80 miles (130 km) south past the O'Neil Forebay and the San Luis Reservoir to the Dos Amigos Pumping Plant. The Banks Pumping Plant initially flows into the Bethany Reservoir. It is from the Bethany Reservoir where the South Bay Aqueduct truly begins.

Characteristics

* Number of units: 11
* Normal static head: 236 to 252 ft (72 to 77 m)
* Total flow at design head: 10,670 ft³/s (302 m³/s)
* Total motor rating: 333,000 hp (248 MW)