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Drop 3 (CA)
9.2 MW hydroelectric power plant · Imperial County, California
- Operating capacity
- 9.2 MW
- 2 generators
- Main fuel
- Hydroelectric
- First unit online
- 1941
- Generation, 2023
- 28 GWh
Plant details
- EIA plant ID
- 386
- Operator
- Imperial Irrigation District
- Sector
- Electric Utility
- County
- Imperial County
- Balancing authority
- IID
- Location
- 32.7054, -115.1261
Operating generators
Nameplate capacity and the month each began operating
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| Generator | Fuel | Capacity | Online | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Conventional Hydroelectric | Hydroelectric | 4.8 MW | Feb 1941 | Operating |
| 2Conventional Hydroelectric | Hydroelectric | 4.4 MW | Nov 1966 | Operating |
Generation and emissions, 2023
EPA eGRID annual data
- Net generation
- 28 GWh
- Capacity factor
- 34.3%
Nearby power plants
Within 25 miles
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| Plant | Fuel | Capacity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop 4 | Hydroelectric | 19.6 MW | 5.4 mi |
| Drop 2 (CA) | Hydroelectric | 10.0 MW | 5.5 mi |
| Ormesa II | Geothermal | 24.0 MW | 9.1 mi |
| East Highline | Hydroelectric | 2.4 MW | 9.1 mi |
| Ormesa III | Geothermal | 45.6 MW | 9.4 mi |
| Geo East Mesa II | Geothermal | 21.6 MW | 9.4 mi |
| Drop 1 | Hydroelectric | 5.7 MW | 11 mi |
| Ormesa I | Geothermal | 19.0 MW | 11 mi |
Frequently asked questions
- How much power can Drop 3 (CA) produce?
- Drop 3 (CA) has 9.2 MW of operating nameplate capacity across 2 generators as of August 2026.
- Who operates Drop 3 (CA)?
- EIA lists Imperial Irrigation District as the operator of Drop 3 (CA).
- How much electricity did Drop 3 (CA) generate?
- Drop 3 (CA) reported 28 GWh of net generation in 2023, according to EPA eGRID.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860M (August 2026); U.S. EPA eGRID2023 · Data for August 2026