34th largest plant in Montana · 3516th nationally
Canyon Ferry is a hydroelectric power plant in Montana with a nameplate capacity of 52.4 MW. It generates roughly 276.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 26,330 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 60% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Canyon Ferry |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Helena |
| County | Lewis And Clark County |
| State | Montana |
| ZIP | 59601 |
| Coordinates | 46.64903, -111.72787 |
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 | 19.2 MW | Operating | 1953 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 19.2 MW | Operating | 1954 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 16.6 MW | Operating | 1954 |
| 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.