The Dalles Dam

The Dalles Dam is a power facility and barrier that stretches 2662 meters (8734 feet) across the Columbia River, connecting Oregon and Washington states. The structure holds 22 turbines housed in a long concrete installation that runs parallel to the river.

Construction began in 1952 under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and reached completion in 1957. The opening of the facility marked the end of Celilo Falls, a fishing site used for thousands of years.

The dam transformed life for indigenous communities along the Columbia River when it flooded Celilo Falls beneath its reservoir. Today, memorial sites and local museums honor the traditional fishing grounds that existed before the flooding.

The site allows tours and views of the technical installations and the surrounding riverbanks. A visitor center provides additional information about the facility's operations and its impact on the region.

The North Fishway uses specialized water screens that protect young salmon as they migrate downstream. The system combines ecological needs with continuous power production in a single technical solution.

Location: Oregon

Location: Washington

Inception: 1952

Length: 2,662 m

GPS coordinates: 45.61361,-121.13333

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30