6th largest plant in Idaho · 1170th nationally
Cabinet Gorge is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 265 MW. It generates roughly 815.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 77,689 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 35% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Cabinet Gorge |
|---|---|
| Operator | Avista Corp |
| City | Clark Fork |
| County | Bonner County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83811 |
| Coordinates | 48.08444, -116.05306 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 73.2 MW | Operating | 1953 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 73.2 MW | Operating | 1952 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 59.4 MW | Operating | 1953 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 59.4 MW | Operating | 1952 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Avista Corporation |
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.