1572nd largest plant in California · 12057th nationally
Cow Creek is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 1.4 MW. It generates roughly 1.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 160 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 14% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Cow Creek |
|---|---|
| Operator | Pacific Gas & Electric Co. |
| City | Millville |
| County | Shasta County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 96062 |
| Coordinates | 40.57082, -122.02093 |
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 | 0.7 MW | Retired | 1907 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.7 MW | Retired | 1907 |
| 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.