125th largest plant in Idaho · 9754th nationally
Clear Lake is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 2.5 MW. It generates roughly 8.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 799 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 38% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Clear Lake |
|---|---|
| Operator | Idaho Power Co |
| City | Buhl |
| County | Gooding County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83316 |
| Coordinates | 42.66701, -114.78012 |
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 | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1937 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Idaho Power Company |
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.