605th largest plant in California · 4596th nationally
El Dorado is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 20.0 MW. It generates roughly 101.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 9,614 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 58% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | El Dorado |
|---|---|
| Operator | El Dorado Irrigation District |
| City | Pollock Pines |
| County | El Dorado County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95667 |
| Coordinates | 38.79357, -120.61915 |
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 | Out of Service | 1924 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 10.0 MW | Operating | 1924 |
| 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.