172nd largest plant in Colorado · 8803rd nationally
Williams Fork Hydro Plant is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 3.5 MW. It generates roughly 8.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 828 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 28% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Williams Fork Hydro Plant |
|---|---|
| Operator | Denver City & County Of |
| City | Parshall |
| County | Grand County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 80468 |
| Coordinates | 40.03500, -106.20530 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.0 MW | Operating | 1959 |
| GEN2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.5 MW | Operating | 2012 |
| 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.