Wanapum Dam sits on the Columbia River just south of Vantage, Washington. The dam is owned and operated by the Grant County Public Utility District, and the reservoir built up behind it is named Lake Wanapum. Both the dam itself and it’s reservoir are named for the Wanapum Indians that were native to the area.
Construction started on Wanapum Dam in July of 1959. The dam is made mainly of concrete and earth fill and though it resembles Priest Rapids Dam to the south, it does not closely resemble the rest of the Columbia River dams that are mostly concrete structures. Power was first generated at Wanapum Dam in September of 1963, with full power production not realized until January of 1964.
The dam has two separate fish ladders and also contains a museum and visitors center. The museum and visitors center are open daily and contain information about the dam as well as history of the area. The dam has twelve spillway gates and uses ten GE turbine generators to produce its power. The total cost of the construction of Wanapum Dam was 140 million dollars plus interest.
Lake Wanapum, behind the dam, is 35 miles in length and covers just over 23 square miles. When Wanapum Dam was built the old town site of Vantage was flooded and the town had to be moved to higher ground. Because of this flooding, the old Vantage Bridge had to be replaced with a new bridge that could reach across the now widened Columbia River.
The dams of the Columbia River have meant a great deal to the people of both eastern and north central Washington State. The affordable hydroelectric power coupled with the irrigation and recreational opportunities afforded by these dams have gone a long ways toward making the area what it is today.
See more pictures of Wanapum Dam in our gallery of North Central Washington Dams.
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One Comment
In my younger years I can still remembering traveling Hwy 10 East passing through Vantage. I can also remember the old town and original bridge that crosses the Columbia. Also, I can remember the hiway following the river and climbing the hill side to rise up from the river and head for George, Wa. I have a question to ask though. My question is; how much did the river rise once the dam was completed?? I’m a yesteryear buff and the answer would be appreciated. Thank you.