1663rd largest plant in California · 12583rd nationally
Ponderosa Bailey Creek is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 1.1 MW. It generates roughly 3.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 288 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 31% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Ponderosa Bailey Creek |
|---|---|
| Operator | Snow Mountain Hydro Llc |
| City | Manton |
| County | Tehama County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 96059 |
| Coordinates | 40.45790, -121.84270 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.1 MW | Operating | 1990 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | California Independent System Operator |
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.