31st largest plant in Oregon · 2270th nationally
Carmen Smith is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 114 MW. It generates roughly 188.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 17,958 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 19% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Carmen Smith |
|---|---|
| Operator | Eugene Water & Electric Board |
| City | Mckenzie Bridge |
| County | Linn County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97413 |
| Coordinates | 44.28598, -122.04135 |
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 | 52.2 MW | Out of Service | 1963 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 52.2 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 9.9 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| 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.