JOHN DAY

How JOHN DAY compares

With 2,160 MW of capacity, JOHN DAY is the largest of the 130 operating power plants Bywatts maps in Oregon and the largest of the 58 operating Hydro plants in the state. It accounts for about 27% of Oregon's operating Hydro capacity and 14% of all operating capacity in the state. Nationally it is the 5th-largest of the 1,243 operating Hydro plants in the database. Commissioned in 1968, it is older than 66% of the 128 operating Oregon plants with a recorded commissioning year. Its operator, USACE NORTHWESTERN DIVISION, runs 13 operating plants in Oregon totaling 6,521 MW. It shares Sherman County with 8 other operating plants, including BIGLOW CANYON WIND FARM and HAY CANYON WIND POWER LLC.

EIA-860 lists 16 generators at the site with 2,160 MW of nameplate capacity, all conventional hydroelectric technology. Net generation was 6,956 GWh in 2024 (a 37% capacity factor), down 21% from 2022. Its generators came online between 1968 and 1971.

Grid neighborhood

The nearest named substation is JOHN DAY CONSTRUCTION, about 0.9 miles away; the closest transmission line found within 10 miles is a 500 kV line owned by BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION, under 0.1 miles away. Another 23 operating power plants totaling 4,632 MW sit within 25 miles; the largest is THE DALLES (1,820 MW, Hydro).

Computed by Bywatts from HIFLD power plant, substation and transmission line records and EIA-860/923 survey data; distances are straight-line. Sources and methodology