220th largest plant in California · 2197th nationally
Parker Dam is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 120 MW. It generates roughly 392.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 37,354 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 37% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Parker Dam |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Parker |
| County | San Bernardino County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 92267 |
| Coordinates | 34.29533, -114.14022 |
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 | 30.0 MW | Operating | 1942 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 30.0 MW | Operating | 1943 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 30.0 MW | Operating | 1942 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 30.0 MW | Operating | 1943 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Western Area Power Administration - Desert Southwest Region |
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.