713th largest plant in California · 4943rd nationally
Iron Gate is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 18.0 MW. It generates roughly 81.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 7,762 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 52% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Iron Gate |
|---|---|
| Operator | Pacificorp |
| City | Hornbrook |
| County | Siskiyou County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 96044 |
| Coordinates | 41.93298, -122.43678 |
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 | 18.0 MW | Retired | 1962 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Pacificorp - West |
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.