Big Thompson
n/a, Loveland, CO 80538Plant Summary Information
Big Thompson is ranked #40 out of 45 hydroelectric power plants in Colorado in terms of total annual net electricity generation.
Big Thompson is comprised of 1 generator and generated -28.0 MWh during the 3-month period between September 2025 to December 2025.
| Plant Name | Big Thompson |
|---|---|
| Utility Name | U S Bureau of Reclamation |
| Location | Larimer County, CO |
| Initial Operation Date | April 1959 |
| Last Update | Dec 2025 |
| Annual Generation | 3.3 GWh |
| Annual Consumption | 11.4 k MMBtu |
| Ranked #9,621 out of 13,081 Power Plants Nationwide | |
| Ranked #1,177 out of 1,311 Water Power Plants Nationwide | |
| Ranked #228 out of 290 Colorado Power Plants | |
| Ranked #40 out of 45 Colorado Water Power Plants | |
| Fuel Types | Water |
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Monthly Net Generation for Big Thompson
Monthly Plant Fuel Consumption for Big Thompson
Big Thompson Details
| Summary Information | |
|---|---|
| Plant Name | Big Thompson (515) |
| Plant Address | , Loveland, CO 80538 |
| Utility | U S Bureau of Reclamation (2518) |
| Latitude, Longitude | 40.42103, -105.2238 |
| Generation Dates on File | Jan 2001 to Dec 2025 |
| Initial Operation Date | April 1959 |
| Annual Generation | 3.3 GWh |
| Fuel Types | Water |
| Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Information | |
| FERC Cogeneration Status | No |
| FERC Small Power Producer Status | No |
| FERC Exempt Wholesale Generator Status | No |
| Regulatory Information | |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Regulated |
| NERC Region | WECC |
| Balancing Authority | Western Area Power Administration - Rocky Mountain Region (WACM) |
| NAICS Code | Utilities (22) |
| Sector | Electric Utility (1) |
| Water Source | Colorado River |
| Ash Impoundment | No |
| Transmission / Distribution Owner | WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration (27000) CO |
| Grid Voltage | 13.80 kV |
| Energy Storage | No |
Generator 1 Details Operating April 1959
| Technology | Conventional Hydroelectric |
|---|---|
| Prime Mover | Hydroelectric Turbine |
| Ownership | Single Owner |
| Nameplate Capacity | 4.5 MW |
| Nameplate Power Factor | 1 |
| Summer Capacity | 5.2 MW |
| Winter Capacity | 4.1 MW |
| Minimum Load | 1.4 MW |
| Uprate/Derate Completed | No |
|---|---|
| Status | Operating |
| First Operation Date | April 1959 |
| Combined Heat & Power | No |
| Sector Name | Electric Utility (1) |
| Energy Source | Water |
| Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load | 10M |
Big Thompson Plant Owners
| Owner Name | Address | Ownership | We couldn't locate any owners for this plant |
|---|
Power Plants with Similar Net Generation
Power plants with a similar annual net generation from Water.
| Rank | Plant Name | Plant Location | Annual Generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1167 | Yaleville | Norfolk, NY | 3.4 GWh |
| #1168 | Pine View Dam | Ogden, UT | 3.4 GWh |
| #1169 | Cottonwood | Lone Pine, CA | 3.4 GWh |
| #1170 | Boyds Mill Hydro | Ware Shoals, SC | 3.4 GWh |
| #1171 | Fort Miller Hydroelectric Facility | Northumberland, NY | 3.4 GWh |
| #1172 | Koyle Ranch Hydroelectric Project | Gooding, ID | 3.4 GWh |
| #1173 | AJMS, LLC | Shoshone, ID | 3.4 GWh |
| #1174 | Cowiche | Tieton, WA | 3.4 GWh |
| #1175 | Thundermist Hydro | Providence, RI | 3.3 GWh |
| #1176 | Moccasin Low Head Hydro Project | Moccasin, CA | 3.3 GWh |
| #1178 | Turlock Lake | Hickman, CA | 3.2 GWh |
| #1179 | Potholes East Canal 66.0 | Pasco, WA | 3.2 GWh |
| #1180 | Lower Beaver Falls Project | Beaver Falls, NY | 3.2 GWh |
| #1181 | Waterloo Hydroelectric Project | Waterloo, NY | 3.1 GWh |
| #1182 | Ford Hydro LP | Weippe, ID | 3.1 GWh |
| #1183 | Lake Creek Dam | Heber City, UT | 3.1 GWh |
| #1184 | Alice Falls Hydro Project | Keeseville, NY | 3.0 GWh |
| #1185 | Center Falls | Greenwich, NY | 3.0 GWh |
| #1186 | High Shoals Hydro (NC) | High Shoals, NC | 3.0 GWh |
| #1187 | Flambeau Lower Project | Park Falls, WI | 3.0 GWh |
Nearby Power Plants
Below are closest 20 power plants surrounding Big Thompson.
| Plant Name | Plant Location | Annual Generation | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carter Hydro | Berthoud, CO | 9.9 GWh | 6.7 mi |
| CBEP Solar 4, LLC | Milliken, CO | 9.3 GWh | 21.6 mi |
| CBEP Solar 5, LLC | Johnstown, CO | 11.3 GWh | 18.8 mi |
| CBEP Solar 7 | Johnstown, CO | 9.2 GWh | 19 mi |
| CO- CSU- Fort Collins | Fort Collins, CO | 1.9 GWh | 12.4 mi |
| CO- CSU- Fort Collins II | Fort Collins, CO | 3.0 GWh | 12.5 mi |
| Coyote Ridge Community Solar | Fort Collins, CO | 3.0 GWh | 7.4 mi |
| Estes | Estes Park, CO | 123.4 GWh | 15.3 mi |
| Flatiron | Loveland, CO | 213.6 GWh | 3.9 mi |
| Fort St Vrain | Platteville, CO | 4.0 TWh | 22 mi |
| Jack's Solar Garden | Longmont, CO | 2.2 GWh | 21.2 mi |
| Marys Lake | Estes Park, CO | 36.5 GWh | 17.2 mi |
| NSE Camber Solar PS5 LLC (CSG) | Platteville, CO | 3.6 GWh | 23.4 mi |
| Pivot Solar 20 | Johnstown, CO | 10.4 GWh | 17 mi |
| Pole Hill | Loveland, CO | 202.4 GWh | 6.6 mi |
| Skylark | Severance, CO | 8.7 GWh | 20.4 mi |
| SR Mavericks | Mead, CO | 14.8 GWh | 16.7 mi |
| SR Skylark B | Severance, CO | 1.2 GWh | 20.4 mi |
| SR Skylark C | Windsor, CO | 1.9 GWh | 20.3 mi |
| Valley View Solar | Greeley, CO | 9.2 GWh | 17.5 mi |