1114th largest plant in California · 8803rd nationally
Lake Mendocino is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 3.5 MW. It generates roughly 11.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,053 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 36% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Lake Mendocino |
|---|---|
| Operator | City Of Ukiah - (Ca) |
| City | Ukiah |
| County | Mendocino County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95482 |
| Coordinates | 39.19722, -123.18556 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1987 |
| G1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.0 MW | Operating | 1987 |
| 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.