70th largest plant in Oregon · 4332nd nationally
Cougar is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 26.0 MW. It generates roughly 47.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 4,529 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 21% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Cougar |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usace Northwestern Division |
| City | Lowell |
| County | Lane County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97452 |
| Coordinates | 44.13070, -122.24390 |
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 | 13.0 MW | Operating | 1964 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 13.0 MW | Operating | 1964 |
| 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.