702nd largest plant in California · 4868th nationally
Drop 4 is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 19.6 MW. It generates roughly 79.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 7,604 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 46% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Drop 4 |
|---|---|
| Operator | Imperial Irrigation District |
| City | Holtville |
| County | Imperial County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 92250 |
| Coordinates | 32.70534, -115.21907 |
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 | 10.0 MW | Operating | 1950 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 9.6 MW | Operating | 1941 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Imperial Irrigation District |
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.