189th largest plant in Colorado · 9578th nationally
Shavano Falls Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 2.8 MW. It generates roughly 10.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 964 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 41% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Shavano Falls Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Shavano Falls Hydro Llc |
| City | Montrose |
| County | Montrose County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 81403 |
| Coordinates | 38.49197, -108.00228 |
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 | 2.8 MW | Operating | 2015 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Western Area Power Administration - Rocky Mountain 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.