35th largest plant in Idaho · 3978th nationally
Smith Falls Hydro Project is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 38.1 MW. It generates roughly 50.9k MWh per year — enough to power about 4,846 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 15% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Smith Falls Hydro Project |
|---|---|
| Operator | Smith Creek Hydro, Llc |
| City | Bonners Ferry |
| County | Boundary County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83853 |
| Coordinates | 48.95955, -116.55737 |
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 | 18.0 MW | Operating | 1990 |
| GEN2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 18.0 MW | Operating | 1990 |
| GEN3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.1 MW | Operating | 1989 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Bonneville Power Administration |
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.