The high Sierra reservoir is formed by Courtright Dam in Helms Creek canyon and has a capacity of 123,300 acre-feet (152,100,000 m3). The dam is composed of rock-fill and is 315 feet (96 m) tall, measured from the crest to the original streambed.[3] It was completed in 1958 (66 years ago) (1958) and is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric. In 1984 the Helms Pumped Storage Powerhouse was added to the reservoir allowing it to pump water from Wishon to Courtright.[4] Its primary purpose is hydroelectricity production.
The lake is an "off-river" (or "off-channel") storage reservoir.[5] In addition to the small amount of conventional hydroelectricity production from the flow of Helms Creek, Courtright Reservoir serves mainly as the upper reservoir for the Helms Pumped Storage Plant. Wishon Reservoir, an on-channel reservoir a couple of miles downstream on the Kings River, is the lower reservoir and main water source. During times of peak demand for electricity, when it is most expensive, water is drained from Courtright Reservoir, run through the 1,212 MW Helms Power Plant and empties into Wishon Reservoir. When demand and prices for electricity are low, water is pumped from Wishon Reservoir to Courtright Reservoir using the power plant's reversible turbines. Helms Power Plant is 1,000 feet (300 m) underground in a chamber carved out of solid granite at the north end of Wishon Lake. It is similar to Southern California Edison's Eastwood Powerhouse near Shaver Lake, which is also a pumped-storage plant.
Courtright Reservoir is a haven for weekend and outdoor enthusiasts seeking to camp, fish, hike, boat, swim, rock climb, and 4x4 among others. It is surrounded by unique domes of granite that are essentially in the center of the Sierra Batholith and are highly sought after by rock climbers from all around. It is also used during warmer-weather months by local astronomers, such as members of the Central Valley Astronomers, who take advantage of its 8,170 feet (2,490 m) elevation and excellent location for night sky viewing free from light and air pollution.[6]
As with many outdoor areas there are some animal transmittable diseases to be aware of. Ticks in the area have been known infect people with the bacterium that causes tick-borne relapsing fever.[7] The yellow-bellied marmot is known to carry cryptosporidium, which can be infectious to humans.[8] Additionally due to the elevation and the thinner atmosphere there has been slightly higher but not dangerous levels of radiation recorded here.[9]
^State of California Department of Water Resources. "Dam Profile". California Data Exchange Center. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
^U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Courtright Reservoir". Sierra National Forest - Recreation. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
^The Dam Truth About Reservoirs "There are 2 broad categories of reservoirs, the valley reservoir [or on-river storage,] and the off-river storage reservoir"
