Wanapum Dam, Hydroelectric power station in Grant County, United States
Wanapum Dam is a gravity and embankment dam crossing the Columbia River in Grant County, Washington State, generating electricity through ten turbine units. The structure spans over 2,600 meters (about 8,500 feet) across and uses the river's water pressure to produce power continuously.
Construction began in 1959, and the dam started operating in 1963, funded entirely by a local utility company without government money or tax support. This made it unusual among large river projects of that era in the Pacific Northwest.
The dam takes its name from the Wanapum people, who have lived along this stretch of the Columbia River for generations and maintain an active community nearby. Their connection to the river gives the site a meaning that goes beyond its role as an engineering structure.
The site has a visitor center with displays and films about hydroelectric power, open to the public at no charge. From there, visitors can get a clear sense of how large the structure is by viewing it from several different angles.
In 2014, a crack in the spillway was traced back to a calculation error made during the original design process, not during construction or use. The inspection that followed gave engineers a rare opportunity to study how the structure had held up over decades.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
