65th largest plant in Montana · 10231st nationally
South Dry Creek Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in Montana with a nameplate capacity of 2.0 MW. It generates roughly 2.9k MWh per year — enough to power about 277 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 17% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | South Dry Creek Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Hydrodynamics Inc |
| City | Red Lodge |
| County | Carbon County |
| State | Montana |
| ZIP | 59068 |
| Coordinates | 45.20634, -109.16520 |
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 | 2.0 MW | Operating | 1985 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Northwestern Energy (Nwmt) |
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.