99th largest plant in New Mexico · 6210th nationally
El Vado Dam is a hydroelectric power plant in New Mexico with a nameplate capacity of 8.0 MW. It generates roughly 1.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 145 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 2% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | El Vado Dam |
|---|---|
| Operator | Los Alamos County |
| City | Tierra Amarilla |
| County | Rio Arriba County |
| State | New Mexico |
| ZIP | 87575 |
| Coordinates | 36.59278, -106.73213 |
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 8.0 MW | Operating | 1988 |
| 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.