Hydropower is fueled by water, so it's a clean, renewable energy source that won't pollute the air like fossil fuels.

NID is a leader among northern California water agencies in the production of clean, renewable hydropower.  Operating seven hydropower plants, it generates enough electricity to supply the District's own energy needs plus that of about 60,000 homes.

NID began producing electricity in 1965 with the completion of the $65 million Yuba-Bear Power Project. The original project included the Chicago Park and Dutch Flat powerhouses and, in 1980, the Rollins and Bowman powerhouses were added. Additional small power plants were added during the 1980s at Scotts Flat and Combie reservoirs to make use of existing water releases.

The District has power sales agreements that market NID's electricity to the Pacific Gas & Electric Company and the Northern California Power Agency.  NID’s Hydropower operations are a huge win for customers. In addition to contributing millions in revenues from power sales to offset water rates for the customer, Hydro also covers all of the costs of upper division water storage, conveyance, delivery, maintenance, and operations from the headwaters of the Middle and South Yuba Rivers, Bear River, Canyon Creek, and Deer Creek watersheds through the District’s mid-elevation storage reservoirs of Scotts Flat, Rollins and Combie.

NID's hydropower facilities include 13 reservoirs and 20.75 miles of pipes, flumes, tunnels and open ditch canals.

NID Hydropower Plants

Chicago Park    39.00 
Dutch Flat         24.57 
Rollins                12.15 
Bowman             3.60 
Combie South    1.50 
Scotts Flat          0.875
Combie North    0.50 

Total:                  82.20   megawatts