968th largest plant in California · 6987th nationally
Stony Gorge is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 5.0 MW. It generates roughly 13.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,283 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 31% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Stony Gorge |
|---|---|
| Operator | City Of Santa Clara - (Ca) |
| City | Elk Creek |
| County | Glenn County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95939 |
| Coordinates | 39.58686, -122.53325 |
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 | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | California Independent System Operator |
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.