7th largest plant in Idaho · 1698th nationally
Palisades Dam is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 176 MW. It generates roughly 564.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 53,767 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 37% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Palisades Dam |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Palisades |
| County | Bonneville County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83428 |
| Coordinates | 43.33485, -111.20575 |
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 | 44.1 MW | Operating | 1957 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 44.1 MW | Operating | 1957 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 44.1 MW | Operating | 1957 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 44.1 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Bonneville 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.