43rd largest plant in Alaska · 5092nd nationally
Blue Lake Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in Alaska with a nameplate capacity of 15.9 MW. It generates roughly 80.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 7,647 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 58% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Blue Lake Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | City & Borough Of Sitka - (Ak) |
| City | Sitka |
| County | Sitka County |
| State | Alaska |
| ZIP | 99835 |
| Coordinates | 57.05160, -135.22970 |
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 | 5.3 MW | Operating | 2014 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 5.3 MW | Operating | 2014 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 5.3 MW | Operating | 2014 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.5 MW | Retired | 1961 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.5 MW | Retired | 1961 |
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.