132nd largest plant in Colorado · 6779th nationally
Vallecito Hydroelectric is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 5.8 MW. It generates roughly 23.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,260 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 47% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Vallecito Hydroelectric |
|---|---|
| Operator | Ptarmigan Res & Engy Inc |
| City | Bayfield |
| County | La Plata County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 81122 |
| Coordinates | 37.37772, -107.57874 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1989 |
| GEN3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1989 |
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.8 MW | Operating | 1989 |
| 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.