855th largest plant in California · 6091st nationally
Foothill is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 8.8 MW. It generates roughly 32.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 3,062 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 42% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Foothill |
|---|---|
| Operator | Los Angeles Department Of Water & Power |
| City | Sylmar |
| County | Los Angeles County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 91342 |
| Coordinates | 34.31825, -118.49445 |
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 | 8.8 MW | Operating | 1971 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Los Angeles Department Of Water And Power |
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.