118th largest plant in Colorado · 6210th nationally
Tri-County Water Hydropower Project is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 8.0 MW. It generates roughly 26.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,496 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 37% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Tri-County Water Hydropower Project |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tri-County Water Conservancy District |
| City | Ridgway |
| County | Ouray County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 81432 |
| Coordinates | 38.23917, -107.75806 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCWG1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 7.2 MW | Operating | 2014 |
| TCWG2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.8 MW | Operating | 2014 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| 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.