Visit one of the Columbia River Dams
Much of eastern Washington was still sagebrush in the 1930’s when the 1933 National Recovery Act legislation authorized building Grand Coulee plus the network of dams that control the flow of the river from Mica dam in BC down to where the Columbia River meets with the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River Gorge, after centuries of erosion was simply too deep to economically access irrigation water. Dam networking brought water levels up near the surface of the land where irrigation canals could be used to route water to the dry fertile land, allowing it to be farmed, converted to orchards or the increasingly popular vineyards.
Columbia River Dams have had a huge influence in the way our state has developed and continue to be of major importance in farming and attracting new business. Our dams perform such a variety of tasks that much of what I write here will merely give a brief overview of the many benefits they provide. To really appreciate the history and function of our dams, it is important that you visit one or more dams to get a more detailed account of how they work
Eventually 671,000 acres of land came under irrigation because of the dams, with just the value of farming economic benefits alone now in the billions of dollars. Our low cost hydroelectric power continues to help our state attract a variety of industry. In the area from the Canadian border to Pasco 35 original lakes were multiplied to over 140 lakes ponds and reservoirs as a byproduct of the dams and irrigation. In excess of 350,000 acres of land or water are available for recreation and now form a major waterfowl migration route. Special areas of habitat enhancement are maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers to enhance pheasant restoration.
Grand Coulee Dam was essentially completed in 1941,with irrigation system completed in 1952 and the Third Power plant unit at Grand Coulee, which added roughly 1/3 more in generating capability, was authorized in 1966. One dam design feature allows water to be pumped upstream to be used again during peak power requirement periods. Migrating fish passage is provided for with the use of fish ladders. Fish counts of selected species helps maintain targeted fish runs. Commercial barges pass well up the Columbia River system as well as to Lewiston on the Snake River with their travel aided by locks installed at the dams by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Computers and even satellites play major roles in irrigation efficiency aiding effective farming. The Bureau of Reclamation oversees dam operation from Canada to Pasco and has instituted Agrimet, using their satellites to forecast weather and provide farmers with needed information. The Bureau monitors water available for irrigation assisting farmers in knowing how much water to use. Remote sensors monitor ground water content, soil conditions, and other variables in crop development, then allow computers to dictate water usage at specific locations. Computers monitor dam water reserves and coupled with accurate weather forecasting, provide efficient flood control. Potholes Reservoir captures surplus irrigation water, stores it and then channels it for irrigation to the southern part of the state. The US Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of dam operation from Pasco to the mouth of the Columbia and interacts with Bonneville Power Administration, who oversees distribution of the power produced by the dams.
Most dams provide visitors with tourist information centers on site with a unique variety of historical vignettes. Some dams offer tours and many offer fish ladder viewing. To assist you in touring a dam, visit web pages including “Bureau of Reclamation Home Page” or Corps of Engineers http://www.nww.usace.army.mil identifying types of facilities available, visitor hours, directions, etc. If you are planning on visiting the largest concrete structure in the world, Grand Coulee Dam (509-633-9265), to see their evening laser light display, starting May 26, or their 4th of July fireworks, book your room well in advance, as these have always been popular events.
