968th largest plant in California · 6987th nationally
Big Creek Water Works is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 5.0 MW. It generates roughly 10.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 957 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 23% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Big Creek Water Works |
|---|---|
| Operator | Big Creek Water Works Ltd |
| City | Hyampom |
| County | Trinity County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 96046 |
| Coordinates | 40.64673, -123.49801 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCHY | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 5.0 MW | Operating | 1987 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | California Independent System Operator |
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.