42nd largest plant in Arkansas · 2808th nationally
Norfork is a hydroelectric power plant in Arkansas with a nameplate capacity of 80.4 MW. It generates roughly 99.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 9,454 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 14% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Norfork |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usce-Little Rock District |
| City | Salesville |
| County | Baxter County |
| State | Arkansas |
| ZIP | 72653 |
| Coordinates | 36.24910, -92.24010 |
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 | 40.2 MW | Operating | 1950 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 40.2 MW | Operating | 1944 |
| NERC Region | MRO |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Southwestern 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.