Wanapum Dam

Wanapum Dam is an embankment dam spanning roughly 2.6 kilometers across the Columbia River that generates electricity through ten turbine units. The facility operates as a gravity dam, using water pressure to produce power continuously.

Construction began in 1959, and the facility started operating in 1963 without requiring government funding or tax support. The project was developed by a local utility company as a self-financed infrastructure initiative.

The dam takes its name from the Wanapum people, who have inhabited this stretch of the Columbia River for generations and maintain a living community nearby. Their presence shapes how the place is understood as more than just an engineering project.

A visitor center at the site provides educational displays and films about hydroelectric power generation. It is a good place to learn about the technical basics of the operation and observe the scale of the facility from different viewpoints.

In 2014, engineers discovered a small crack in the spillway that was traced back to a mathematical error in the original design. The subsequent inspection lasting several weeks revealed important findings about the structure's durability and safety.

Location: Grant County

Inception: 1959

Elevation above the sea: 174 m

Length: 2,632 m

GPS coordinates: 46.87520,-119.97100

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42