47th largest plant in South Dakota · 8379th nationally
Spearfish Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in South Dakota with a nameplate capacity of 4.0 MW. It generates roughly 21.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,040 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 61% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Spearfish Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | City Of Spearfish |
| City | Spearfish |
| County | Lawrence County |
| State | South Dakota |
| ZIP | 57783 |
| Coordinates | 44.47833, -103.85472 |
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TURB1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.0 MW | Operating | 1912 |
| TURB2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.0 MW | Operating | 1912 |
| NERC Region | MRO |
|---|---|
| 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.