Watts Bar Hydro
Watts Bar Hydro is a 175 MW hydroelectric power plant in Rhea County, Tennessee, operated by Tennessee Valley Authority. EIA-860M lists 5 generating units here. Its units entered service between 1942 and 1944.
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
- 174.6 MW
- 196.4 MW net summer
- Generating units
- 5
- In service
- 1942–1944
- EIA plant ID
- 3420
Where it is
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- County
- Rhea County, Tennessee
- Coordinates
- 35.6197, -84.7855
- Balancing authority
- TVA
- Sector
- Electric Utility
Units, technology and status
- Operator of record
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Primary energy source
- Hydro
- Technologies
- Conventional Hydroelectric
- Status
- Operating
Watts Bar Hydro: FAQ
- Where is Watts Bar Hydro?
- In Rhea County, Tennessee (TN). 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 Watts Bar Hydro?
- 175 MW of nameplate capacity across 5 units, as of the EIA-860M release for 2026-07.
- Who owns Watts Bar Hydro?
- EIA-860M names Tennessee Valley Authority 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 Watts Bar Hydro LLC?
- Probably, but EIA-860M does not say. The survey records a plant name and a reporting entity — Tennessee Valley Authority 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 "Watts Bar Hydro LLC" usually means this site. This page shows only what EIA files, and does not assert a corporate structure it cannot see.
- Is Watts Bar Hydro still running?
- EIA-860M files it as "Operating" for 2026-07. Statuses change monthly, and this page follows the monthly release.