286th largest plant in Colorado · 12336th nationally
Mcphee is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 1.2 MW. It generates roughly 5.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 510 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 51% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Mcphee |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Cortez |
| County | Montezuma County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 81302 |
| Coordinates | 37.57522, -108.57400 |
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 | 1.2 MW | Operating | 1992 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Western Area Power Administration - Rocky Mountain Region |
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.