Grand Coulee Dam

The Grand Coulee Dam is located in Grand Coulee, WA.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation completed the dam in 1942.  The three important functions of the dam are irrigation, power and flood control.  Although electricity was not foreseen as a primary function when the dam was built, today the production of electrical energy is one of Grand Coulee Dam's most important jobs.  It generates more power than a million locomotives.  An engineering wonder, it is also the country's largest hydroelectric project.  It is larger than the Hoover Dam.  While the Hoover Dam is much higher, the Grand Coulee is longer.  In fact, the Grand Coulee is almost one mile across.  Coulee Dam is one of the largest concrete structures in the world.  It contains nearly 12 million yards of concrete.

As we drove down the steep road leading to the town of Grand Coulee, we had a grand view of the lake, dam and surrounding area.  Quite a sight from that high up. 

As we approached the dam area we were on the lake side of the dam.

As we passed the dam we saw the water rushing over the spillway to the river below.  We drove down to the visitor center parking lot to get a closer look at the dam before head to the campground.

 

 

We had to cross a narrow metal  bridge to get to the tour center.  We were in the motorhome and as we approached the bridge we had to wait for the oncoming traffic. 

 

 

When we got to the tour center we had to go through a security check similar to the airports.  We were limited on what we could take with us on the bus and what we could take photos of.  We had an armed police escort in a lead vehicle from the tour center to the top of the dam.  He was also with us throughout the tour.  The bus driver let everyone off  when we arrived on the dam and went to the other end to turn around.

 

Our tour guide was very informative and even took pictures for everyone.

The first thing everyone did was to look over the rail at the spillway with the water rushing down to the river.

Just another angle looking over the rail.  The vents on each side of the dam also releases water down the side.

 

Below are some photos of the area taken from on top of the dam.  You can get an idea of how high the dam is from this view of the visitor center below.  Some of the locals refer to the visitor center as looking like a bottle cap. 

 

 

This is the bridge we traveled over to get to the tour center.  If you look close, you can see a truck exiting the bridge on left. 

 

   

Each night in the summer there is a laser light show shown on the water spilling down from the dam.  A new  2 million dollar show started last month.  It tells a story about the history of the dam.  The show starts at 10 pm and lasts 30 minutes.  There are two nice parks at the visitor center for viewing the show.   It was great!

Our tour guide had told us about a park on the top of one of the surrounding mountains called Crown Visa Point.  You can drive up to the viewing area for an overall view of the dam and surrounding town.  We drove up the morning before we left Grand Coulee to take a few more pictures.

 

Overlooking the town. 

 

Overlooking the river.

 

 

Now that folks is the Grand Coulee Dam!

Did I mention that there is a CASINO in town? 

We stopped in to give them my $20 bucks and Alan decided to stick a dollar in one of the slots.  He hit the jackpot and won $12.  He gave it to me and I lost another $12.
I'm a happy camper now that I have that out of my system.