World Power Plants

Middle Fork is a 122.4 MW hydroelectric power plant located in the United States, operated by Placer County Water Agency since its commissioning in 1966. The facility harnesses the energy of flowing water to generate electricity, contributing to the renewable energy landscape of the country. It is the 166th largest hydro plant in the United States. With 122.4 MW, it represents 0.1% of the country's total hydro capacity of 117,947 MW. The United States has 1,469 hydro plants with a combined capacity of 117,947 MW. Compared to the country's largest hydro plant, Grand Coulee Dam at 6,809 MW, Middle Fork is approximately 1.8% the size. Hydropower is a significant component of the United States' renewable energy mix, providing around 6.5% of the total electricity generation. The facility's location in California's Sierra Nevada region allows it to take advantage of the abundant water resources in the area. Middle Fork is situated approximately 200 miles northeast of San Francisco.

Capacity
122.4 MW
Commissioning Year
1966

60 years old

Owner
Placer County Water Agency
Location
39.0248°, -120.5964°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 1,907. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #9,186 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,023 of 8,493 Hydroelectric plants worldwide
  • 0.01% of the installed capacity of United States of America
Age & fleet comparison

60 years in operation

Hydroelectric fleet average: 42.1 years

Operator portfolio

Placer County Water Agency operates 4 plants totalling 223 MW

Regional density

120 plants within 100 km, 7,339 MW combined

Nearest plant: Ralston (11.4 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 39.024800, -120.596400
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Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Middle Fork is a hydro power plant producing approximately 429 GWh of clean electricity per year with zero direct CO₂ emissions during operation.

Lifecycle emissions: ~24 g CO₂/kWh (manufacturing, transport, decommissioning)

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Hydro
Energy Source
Renewable
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

United States of AmericaEnergy Profile

10,098
Total Plants
1420.7 GW
Total Capacity
GasCoalNuclearWind
Top Fuels

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