82nd largest plant in Idaho · 5632nd nationally
Black Canyon is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 10.2 MW. It generates roughly 56.9k MWh per year — enough to power about 5,422 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 64% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Black Canyon |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Emmet |
| County | Gem County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83617 |
| Coordinates | 43.93046, -116.43717 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 12.5 MW | Indef Postponed | — |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 5.1 MW | Operating | 1925 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 5.1 MW | Operating | 1925 |
| 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.