87th largest plant in Colorado · 4266th nationally
Crystal is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 28.0 MW. It generates roughly 122.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 11,688 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 50% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Crystal |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Montrose |
| County | Montrose County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 81401 |
| Coordinates | 38.51057, -107.62534 |
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 | 28.0 MW | Operating | 1978 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Western Area Power Administration - Rocky Mountain Region |
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.