171st largest plant in Colorado · 8730th nationally
Ames Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 3.6 MW. It generates roughly 7.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 678 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 23% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Ames Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Public Service Co Of Colorado |
| City | Ophir |
| County | San Miguel County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 81426 |
| Coordinates | 37.86600, -107.88310 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.6 MW | Operating | 1906 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Western Area Power Administration - Rocky Mountain Region |
Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.