37th largest plant in Tennessee · 3414th nationally
Watauga is a hydroelectric power plant in Tennessee with a nameplate capacity of 57.6 MW. It generates roughly 113.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 10,763 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 22% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Watauga |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| City | Elizabethton |
| County | Carter County |
| State | Tennessee |
| ZIP | 37643 |
| Coordinates | 36.34130, -82.12640 |
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 | 28.8 MW | Operating | 1949 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 28.8 MW | Operating | 1949 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Tennessee Valley Authority |
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.