1st largest plant in South Dakota · 435th nationally
Oahe is a hydroelectric power plant in South Dakota with a nameplate capacity of 786 MW. It generates roughly 2.1M MWh per year — enough to power about 195,252 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 30% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Oahe |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usace-Omaha |
| City | Pierre |
| County | Hughes County |
| State | South Dakota |
| ZIP | 57501 |
| Coordinates | 44.45040, -100.38660 |
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 | 112 MW | Operating | 1962 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 112 MW | Operating | 1962 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 112 MW | Operating | 1962 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 112 MW | Operating | 1962 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 112 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| 6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 112 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| 7 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 112 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| NERC Region | MRO |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Southwest Power Pool |
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.