Hells Canyon Dam, Hydroelectric station and gravity dam at Snake River, Oregon and Idaho
Hells Canyon Dam is a concrete barrier across the Snake River between Oregon and Idaho, built to hold back water and generate power. The structure spans 277 meters and contains turbines that convert the river's flow into electricity.
Idaho Power Company finished building this dam in 1967 as the final part of a three-dam project on the Snake River. It came after Brownlee Dam and represented the completion of a major hydroelectric development effort.
The dam's construction modified the natural flow of Snake River, affecting the traditional salmon fishing practices of Native American tribes in the region.
This location sits deep in Hells Canyon, one of North America's deepest river gorges, so reaching viewpoints requires hiking through rugged terrain. Visit from late spring through early fall when trails are open and weather is stable.
The dam has no fish passages, so salmon cannot reach their spawning grounds upstream. This has made the site a focal point in discussions about river management and restoring fish populations in the region.
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