174th largest plant in Oregon · 8274th nationally
Opal Springs Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 4.3 MW. It generates roughly 24.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,309 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 64% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Opal Springs Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Deschutes Valley Water District |
| City | Culver |
| County | Jefferson County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97734 |
| Coordinates | 44.49004, -121.29881 |
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 | 4.3 MW | Operating | 1985 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Pacificorp - West |
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.