33rd largest plant in Colorado · 1486th nationally
Mount Elbert is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 200 MW.
| Plant Name | Mount Elbert |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Twin Lakes |
| County | Lake County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 80461 |
| Coordinates | 39.09420, -106.35233 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hydroelectric Pumped Storage | Water | 100 MW | Operating | 1981 |
| 2 | Hydroelectric Pumped Storage | Water | 100 MW | Operating | 1984 |
| 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.