53rd largest plant in Wyoming · 4943rd nationally
Buffalo Bill is a hydroelectric power plant in Wyoming with a nameplate capacity of 18.0 MW. It generates roughly 73.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 6,970 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 46% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Buffalo Bill |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Cody |
| County | Park County |
| State | Wyoming |
| ZIP | 82414 |
| Coordinates | 44.50817, -109.17066 |
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 | 6.0 MW | Operating | 1992 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.0 MW | Operating | 1992 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.0 MW | Operating | 1992 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Western Area Power Administration Ugp West |
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.