64th largest plant in Washington · 3178th nationally
Cowlitz Falls is a hydroelectric power plant in Washington with a nameplate capacity of 70.0 MW. It generates roughly 190.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 18,131 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 31% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Cowlitz Falls |
|---|---|
| Operator | Pud No 1 Of Lewis County |
| City | Randle |
| County | Lewis County |
| State | Washington |
| ZIP | 98377 |
| Coordinates | 46.46610, -122.10970 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U#1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 35.0 MW | Operating | 1994 |
| U#2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 35.0 MW | Operating | 1994 |
| 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.