1134th largest plant in California · 8898th nationally
Thermalito Diverson Dam is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 3.4 MW. It generates roughly 16.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,566 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 55% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Thermalito Diverson Dam |
|---|---|
| Operator | California Dept. Of Water Resources |
| City | Oroville |
| County | Butte County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95966 |
| Coordinates | 39.52875, -121.54636 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.4 MW | Operating | 1987 |
| 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.