231st largest plant in Wisconsin · 12185th nationally
Potato Rapids is a hydroelectric power plant in Wisconsin with a nameplate capacity of 1.3 MW. It generates roughly 4.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 396 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 37% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Potato Rapids |
|---|---|
| Operator | Wisconsin Public Service Corp |
| City | Town Of Porterfield |
| County | Marinette County |
| State | Wisconsin |
| ZIP | 54143 |
| Coordinates | 45.11360, -87.75860 |
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 | 0.5 MW | Operating | 1926 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.4 MW | Operating | 1921 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.4 MW | Operating | 1921 |
| NERC Region | RFC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.. |
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.