1st largest plant in Oregon · 63rd nationally
John Day is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 2,160 MW. It generates roughly 6.8M MWh per year — enough to power about 646,980 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 36% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | John Day |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usace Northwestern Division |
| City | Rufus |
| County | Sherman County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97050 |
| Coordinates | 45.71644, -120.69408 |
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 | 135 MW | Out of Service | 1968 |
| 10 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Out of Service | 1969 |
| 11 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1970 |
| 12 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1970 |
| 13 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1970 |
| 14 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Out of Service | 1971 |
| 15 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1971 |
| 16 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1971 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1968 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1968 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1968 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1969 |
| 6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1969 |
| 7 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Out of Service | 1969 |
| 8 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1969 |
| 9 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 135 MW | Operating | 1969 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Bonneville Power Administration |
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.