23rd largest plant in Arkansas · 1815th nationally
Dardanelle is a hydroelectric power plant in Arkansas with a nameplate capacity of 161 MW. It generates roughly 426.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 40,590 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 30% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Dardanelle |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usce-Little Rock District |
| City | Dardanelle |
| County | Pope County |
| State | Arkansas |
| ZIP | 72834 |
| Coordinates | 35.25030, -93.16860 |
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 | 40.2 MW | Operating | 1965 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 40.2 MW | Operating | 1965 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 40.2 MW | Operating | 1965 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 40.2 MW | Operating | 1966 |
| NERC Region | MRO |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Southwestern 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.