French Meadows
French Meadows is a 15 MW hydroelectric power plant in Placer County, California, operated by Placer County Water Agency - (CA). EIA-860M lists 1 generating unit here, inside CAISO. Its unit entered service in 1966.
As of 2026-07 (inventory dated 2026-07-31) · EIA-860M Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory · eia.gov/…/july_generator2026.xlsx · eia.gov/…/eia860m
- Nameplate capacity
- 15.3 MW
- 16 MW net summer
- Generating units
- 1
- In service
- 1966
- EIA plant ID
- 424
Where it is
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- County
- Placer County, California
- Coordinates
- 39.078, -120.4061
- Balancing authority
- CISO
- Sector
- Electric Utility
Units, technology and status
- Operator of record
- Placer County Water Agency - (CA)
- Primary energy source
- Hydro
- Technologies
- Conventional Hydroelectric
- Status
- Operating
Every plant Placer County Water Agency - (CA) reports to EIA →
French Meadows: FAQ
- Where is French Meadows?
- In Placer County, California (CA). The map on this page is placed at the coordinates EIA files for the plant, which locate the site rather than any individual unit.
- How big is French Meadows?
- 15 MW of nameplate capacity across 1 unit, as of the EIA-860M release for 2026-07.
- Who owns French Meadows?
- EIA-860M names Placer County Water Agency - (CA) as the reporting entity. That is the operator of record on the survey, which is not always the ultimate owner.
- Is this the same as French Meadows LLC?
- Probably, but EIA-860M does not say. The survey records a plant name and a reporting entity — Placer County Water Agency - (CA) here — not the project company that holds the asset. Project companies are commonly registered as an LLC carrying the plant's name, so a search for "French Meadows LLC" usually means this site. This page shows only what EIA files, and does not assert a corporate structure it cannot see.
- Is French Meadows still running?
- EIA-860M files it as "Operating" for 2026-07. Statuses change monthly, and this page follows the monthly release.