180th largest plant in Oregon · 8944th nationally
Middle Fork Irrigation District is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 3.3 MW. It generates roughly 20.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,925 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 70% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Middle Fork Irrigation District |
|---|---|
| Operator | Middle Fork Irrigation Dist |
| City | Parkdale |
| County | Hood River County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97041 |
| Coordinates | 45.48070, -121.59984 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.0 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| GEN3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.8 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| GEN2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.5 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| 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.