1048th largest plant in California · 8228th nationally
Upper Dawson is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 4.4 MW. It generates roughly 11.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,097 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 30% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Upper Dawson |
|---|---|
| Operator | Turlock Irrigation District |
| City | La Grange |
| County | Tuolumne County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95329 |
| Coordinates | 37.65080, -120.47060 |
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 | 4.4 MW | Operating | 1983 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Turlock Irrigation District |
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.