Rollins Dam

Ernest "Ernie" Bierwagen plaque at Orchard Springs Campground

Rollins Dam was built by Nevada Irrigation District as part of the Yuba-Bear hydroelectric Project in the 1960s. This project was created to bring flood control, water storage industrial/domestic, hydroelectricity, and recreation to the people in Nevada county.[5] The construction for the dam began in July 1963 and finished in December 1965. An 810 foot long, 196 foot high trestle, named the Bear River Bridge, used by the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Rail Road to carry out $300 million of precious metals was demolished as part of the ground breaking ceremony for the dam.[6] Design and construction was managed by EBASCO services incorporated and the general contractor was Paul Hardeman, Inc.

Ernest "Ernie" Bierwagen was one of the directors from NID that oversaw the construction of Rollins Dam. His father helped form the NID in the early 1920s, and Ernest would spend 25 years of his life dedicated to the district, till he stepped down for medical reason.[7] In the Orchard Springs's campground, on the west side of the dam there is a plaque dedicated to Ernest Bierwagen that states:

"Ernie was born February 1913 and died in February 2004, in Chicago Park California. He was close to the land and the people he met along the way. He was timeless leader in the agricultural community, his church, and was a friend to many. Always genuine, he was a man of strong faith that sustained him and those around him. Ernie and his family devoted their lives to making this world a better place. The love of the community by the Bierwagen Family continues to this day. Ernie often brought his family to observe the construction of this beautiful Reservoir. He knew the importance of water to nature, the food supply and the lives of all people. Ernie served 25 years as a Nevada Irrigation District Division II Director. With passion, he strived to protect and enhance the water supply".[8]

The earliest exploration of this area was done by the Spaniards in 1822, they named the river "Rio de Oso" meaning Bear River. Reports from 1866 show that there was a fish hatchery where the Greenhorn end of Rollins Lake is today. This hatchery was built by John Thorp and James Smith and was operated by the state. Evidence of old roads and mine tunneling can be seen when the water in Rollins Lake drops 80 feet in the summer months. More mine tunnels can be seen exposed along the Greenhorn area, through the trees and banks. Another mine tunnel site lies under the lake called the Numitor, established by Warren Pierce in 1884.[9]

Rollins Dam was named after Dr. Jarret Laben Rollins, he was a physician and a prohibition leader. He saw the struggle that farmers were having with their crops and cattle because dry farming at the time was ineffective and unpredictable to the people. Nevada and Placer county came together and in 1921 the Nevada Irrigation District was created. With the establishment of NID existing reservoirs, dams and canals from the Gold Rush era became a part of the district. Dr. Rollins helped establish the Bear River Water and Power Company and after this the NID and the Bear River Water and Power Company would join and acquire many private systems. In 1962, the $65 million bond measure for the construction of the Yuba- Bear project was approved. Dr. Rollins would not see the end of the project as he died from a heart attack in 1933 and in 1966 a ceremony was held to dedicate the Rollins reservoir in his honor. Colfax records from the ceremony states:

"A giant stride has been taken in providing facilities through which innumerable opportunities for economic development, recreation and a richer life

Map of the Feather River watershed; Rollins Reservoir is southeast of the town of Grass Valley.

will open to the people of the region, and during which the people of the district have assured themselves a great additional reserve of precious water"[6].

Rollins Dam is located on the Bear River, This river starts at 20 miles west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada in Placer County. The water from this river comes from the Drum Canal of Spaulding Lake, which is located on the Southern part of the Yuba River. The area where the water flows out of the Spaulding Lake and into Bear River is called Drum Afrerbay, it is also known as the Upper Bear River.[18] Water then flows into the Middle Bear where the Dutch Flat Reservoir is located and then through the Alta Powerhouse. Water continues flowing down the river and just before reaching Rollins Reservoir it merges with Steephollow Creek, also known as the largest tributary in the upper watershed. After Rollins Reservoir the water then flows into Lake Combie, Wolf Creek, Camp Far West Reservoir and then joins Feather River South of Yuba City.[18] This water will eventually flow into the Sacramento River at 20 miles northwest of the City of Sacramento.

After the establishment of the NID engineers viewed the hydraulic gold mines of the area to be a significant accomplishments. When hydraulic mining ended in the 1880s many of these sites had been reestablished for water and power production.[6] The NID began producing hydroelectric power in 1966 with the completion of the Yuba–Bear Power Project; the project only included Chicago Park and Dutch Flat. Smaller plants were created in the 1980s to take advantage of existing water releases including the Rollins powerhouse.[19] The Rollins power plant generates a capacity of about 12.15 megawatts alone. With all of the NID power plants put together the plants generate 82.2 megawatts or on average about 375 million kilowatt hours of energy in a year. The NID then sell this energy to the Pacific Gas & Electric Company or also known as PG&E.[19]

• List of dams and reservoirs in California

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