Green Peter Dam, Hydroelectric power station in Linn County, Oregon, US
Green Peter Dam is a concrete gravity dam that holds back the Middle Santiam River, creating a large reservoir behind its thick barrier. Water flows through turbines built into the structure to generate electricity.
The dam was completed in 1967 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers as part of a plan to generate power and reduce flooding. Its construction marked a shift toward harnessing water resources in the middle Willamette Valley region.
The facility incorporates two power-generating turbines that supply 80 megawatts of renewable electricity to communities throughout the Willamette Valley region.
Visitors can access the reservoir through Whitcomb Creek Park, which offers camping areas, boat ramps, and picnic facilities. The site is most active during warmer months, though you can visit year-round.
The facility operates as part of a coordinated system with Foster Dam located downstream, allowing both dams to work together for water management. This partnership enables better control of water flow for both power generation and flood control across the valley.
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