520th largest plant in California · 4094th nationally
Pilot Knob is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 33.0 MW. It generates roughly 14.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,349 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 5% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Pilot Knob |
|---|---|
| Operator | Imperial Irrigation District |
| City | Winterhaven |
| County | Imperial County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 92283 |
| Coordinates | 32.73664, -114.71386 |
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 | 16.5 MW | Operating | 1957 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 16.5 MW | Operating | 1957 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Imperial Irrigation District |
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.