123rd largest plant in Idaho · 9695th nationally
Birch Creek Power is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 2.6 MW. It generates roughly 9.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 874 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 40% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Birch Creek Power |
|---|---|
| Operator | Birch Power Co |
| City | Terreton |
| County | Clark County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83409 |
| Coordinates | 44.02744, -112.71944 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.6 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Pacificorp - East |
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.