471st largest plant in California · 3811th nationally
Chicago Park is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 44.0 MW. It generates roughly 134.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 12,826 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 35% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Chicago Park |
|---|---|
| Operator | Nevada Irrigation District |
| City | Colfax |
| County | Nevada County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95713 |
| Coordinates | 39.17790, -120.89086 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2P | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 44.0 MW | Operating | 1965 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | California Independent System Operator |
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.