1106th largest plant in California · 8730th nationally
Murphys is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 3.6 MW. It generates roughly 17.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,691 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 56% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Murphys |
|---|---|
| Operator | Utica Water & Power Authority |
| City | Murphys |
| County | Calaveras County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95247 |
| Coordinates | 38.14709, -120.44640 |
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 | 3.6 MW | Operating | 1954 |
| 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.