DENISON, Tex. - Electricity can come from a number of sources, but officials say we are fortunate to have a clean renewable source right here in Texoma.

The Denison Dam produces hydro electric power just about everyday. Mystic Matthews investigates how much is generated and where it ends up.

"We are very lucky to have it. Several lakes in Tulsa district have hydroelectric power. But we are very fortunate to have it," says Joe Custer, the Texoma Lake Manager.

Hydroelectric power is a clean-burning, renewable energy source, and it’s made right here at the Denison Dam.

Something Denison resident Michael Tingle says we should be using more of. "The fact that it's here and it’s renewable.”

Custer says we only have two units producing power at the dam, “Approximately 11,000 cubic feet per second is running from two units at 40 megawatts per unit."

And that's with the flood gates shut.

"Flood gates are used for large releases during a flood or high water situations. Right now the only release is through the generation units.”

With those units producing 80 megawatts of power, “One megawatt will typically operate 1000 Midwestern homes; one megawatt is 1,000 homes. 40 megawatts is 40,000 homes. So today's generation is 80,000 homes."

That's a lot of power. "Yes, that is a lot of power, but its only peak power. Our power is not stored. You cannot store hydroelectric power. As we create it, its being used somewhere across the grid," says Custer.

But he says there are disadvantages to hydro electric power.

"The availability of water and the costs to build a dam in today’s environment is one or two drawbacks to hydroelectric."

But Tingle says it’s worth it, “Being a renewable source, it’s what we need to be doing."

And Custer agrees. So for now, the dam will continue to create what the power company needs.

And if the demand for hydro electricity goes up, “More units could be added in the future if demand necessitates."

Custer also told me all power that is generated at the Denison Dam goes to a company called AEP.

But the power only goes to customers they service in Texas.