99th largest plant in Idaho · 6505th nationally
Thousand Springs is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 6.8 MW. It generates roughly 54.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 5,164 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 91% means it runs nearly around-the-clock as baseload generation.
| Plant Name | Thousand Springs |
|---|---|
| Operator | Idaho Power Co |
| City | Wendell |
| County | Gooding County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83355 |
| Coordinates | 42.74054, -114.83672 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.8 MW | Operating | 1920 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.0 MW | Retired | 1912 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.0 MW | Retired | 1912 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Idaho Power Company |
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.