81st largest plant in Oregon · 4943rd nationally
Big Cliff is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 18.0 MW. It generates roughly 75.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 7,221 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 48% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Big Cliff |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usace Northwestern Division |
| City | Gates |
| County | Marion County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97346 |
| Coordinates | 44.75140, -122.28320 |
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 | 18.0 MW | Operating | 1954 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Bonneville Power Administration |
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.