Difference between revisions of "Bidwell Bar Bridge"

Revision as of 22:57, 10 October 2009

Bidwell Bar Bridge
Oroville, California, United States
627 feet high / 191 meters high
1,108 foot span / 338 meter span
1965

The highest reservoir bridge in North America, the 1965 Bidwell Bar suspension bridge crosses the Middle Fork of the Feather River at Lake Oroville in the U.S. state of California. At the time of its completion, it was the 3rd highest bridge in the world after the Royal Gorge suspension and Glen Canyon Dam arch bridges. The creation of America’s deepest man-made lake started in the early 1960s when construction began on the Oroville Dam. Completed in 1968, the earth fill structure is the highest in the United States measuring 770 feet (235 meters) from base to crest.

The current Bidwell bridge was preceded by the original Bidwell Bar bridge of 1856. One of California’s earliest suspension spans, it crossed the Feather River just upstream from the current bridge but approximately 600 feet (183 meters) lower in elevation. Due to the historical nature of the bridge, it was completely disassembled and rebuilt in 1965 at the Kelly Ridge park and boat ramp at the edge of the reservoir 1.5 miles (2.4 kms) from its original location. Additional supports were added beneath the suspended span. The original toll house was also rebuilt. Unless the reservoir is at its full pool elevation of 900 feet (274 meters), the structure crosses little more than a patch of dirt and grass. But whether its crossing dry land or water, a visit to this 150+ year old classic is a must for any bridge fan. One structure in the area that was not so lucky was the old Hansell’s concrete arch bridge that also crossed the Middle Fork of the Feather River at the bottom of the canyon. Located at the base of the new dam, it was blown up in the mid-1960s.

If you are lucky enough to visit the newer 1965 Bidwell suspension bridge during one of Northern California’s severe droughts, the treeless brown earth of the underwater landscape will reveal itself in a jarring contrast to the surrounding forest. The lowest lake levels were reached in 1992 and 2008. During these seasons, the deck of the bridge was approximately 300 feet (91 meters) above the water, revealing the full 350 foot (107 meter) height of the towers. The curving approaches on both ends of the bridge made it unnecessary to have suspended side spans - a unique design trait rarely seen on a major U.S. suspension bridge.

Bidwell Bar is just one of 4 high bridges that cross Lake Oroville. The other 3 include Enterprise Bridge, the West Branch of the Feather River Highway and Railroad bridges and the Canyon Creek bridge.