61st largest plant in Oregon · 3877th nationally
North Fork is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 40.8 MW. It generates roughly 155.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 14,775 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 43% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | North Fork |
|---|---|
| Operator | Portland General Electric Co |
| City | Estacada |
| County | Clackamas County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97023 |
| Coordinates | 45.24329, -122.27995 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 21.6 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 19.2 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Portland General Electric Company |
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.