Little Goose Dam

Little Goose Dam is an 809-meter concrete barrier across the Snake River that combines hydroelectric generation with navigation capabilities for barges. The structure includes a single lock system alongside multiple power units that work together in one facility.

Construction began in 1963 when the US Army Corps of Engineers started work on the site, with the main structure and three generators completed by 1970. The project was part of a larger plan to develop the Snake River for both shipping and power.

The dam sits in a region long important to local tribes who fished for salmon here and built their way of life around the river's rhythms.

You can view the dam and Lake Bryan from several observation points along the shoreline, which are accessible year-round. Winter weather can make access difficult, so spring through fall offers the most comfortable visiting conditions.

The lock chamber can move only one barge at a time, making it a bottleneck for river shipping traffic. This limitation means large cargo vessels often queue up for hours waiting their turn to pass through.

Location: Whitman County

Location: Columbia County

Inception: 1963

Length: 809 m

GPS coordinates: 46.58750,-118.02611

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:09