The United States is home to more than 90,000 dams, yet everyone seems to be fascinated with just one, the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam is in fact spectacular, but its fame overshadows other structures, some of which are even more impressive. Take a trip along the Columbia River in eastern Washington, and you’ll encounter the largest dam in the United States, the Grand Coulee Dam. Not only is the Grand Coulee Dam the largest dam in America, but it’s one of the largest structures on Earth. Standing 550 feet high and 5,223 feet long, it’s humongous.
While the Hoover Dam remains one of the most famous pieces of American infrastructure, there was a time when Grand Coulee Dam was equally well known. When it was completed in 1942, future United States Senator Richard Neuberger, wrote an article titled “Man’s Greatest Structure”. The article began with the line, “Everyone in America has heard of Grand Coulee.” An exaggeration no doubt, but the construction of Grand Coulee had captivated the American public. Thousands of people flocked to eastern Washington to witness its construction, and it was undoubtedly a source of national pride during the Great Depression. The dam is no less spectacular today, yet I suspect many people have never heard of Grand Coulee Dam, which is unfortunate.
“Everyone in America has heard of Grand Coulee.”
Richard L. Neuberger, 1942
At the time of its construction, Grand Coulee was the largest structure on Earth. The dam contains 12 million cubic yards of concrete, which is nearly three times as much as the Hoover Dam. When running at peak capacity, 1.5 million gallons of water pass through the generators every second, producing enough electricity to power 4.2 million households. Despite being 80 years old, Grand Coulee remains the largest dam in the United States, and is a key piece of infrastructure. Grand Coulee Dam is also listed by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the seven civil engineering wonders of the United States.
In addition to being notable for its size, Grand Coulee is historic for the contributions it has made. When completed in 1942, Grand Coulee became an instrumental part of America’s wartime economy, powering the great factories of the Pacific Northwest. While the electricity generated by Grand Coulee powered factories manufacturing tanks and planes, it also powered something a bit more secretive. It was Grand Coulee that supplied the immense amount of electricity needed for the Hanford Site, a key part of the Manhattan Project, which produced plutonium for the first atomic bombs. In 1948, President Truman remarked on Grand Coulee’s importance, stating that without it, “it would have been almost impossible to win this war.”
While Grand Coulee Dam has faded into obscurity with the American public, it is most definitely worth visiting. The Bureau of Reclamation manages a wonderful visitor center, where you can learn about both the current and historical significance of Grand Coulee Dam. Tours are offered as well, but they are limited to small sections of the dam, and honestly aren’t that great. This is one area where Hoover Dam remains superior, as all of its tour options are awesome. Nonetheless, if you’re ever in the area, definitely make sure to stop and check out Grand Coulee Dam. It’s a sight to see, and you’ll almost certainly learn something new and interesting.
https://www.usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee/visit/index.html