1016th largest plant in California · 7877th nationally
Lake Mathews is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 4.9 MW. It generates roughly 3.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 358 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 9% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Lake Mathews |
|---|---|
| Operator | Metropolitan Water District Of S Ca |
| City | Riverside |
| County | Riverside County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 92503 |
| Coordinates | 33.85530, -117.45370 |
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 | 4.9 MW | Operating | 1980 |
| 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.