Columbia River Basin Project: Dam Construction in the Pacific Northwest

Historical photographs of Columbia Basin Project and other dams constructed in the Pacific Northwest, 1933-1965

Contents: CRBP Collection Photos in PBS Documentary | PBS Documentary

CRBP Collection Photos in PBS Documentary

Several photos from this collection were used in the production of the PBS Documentary Grand Coulee Dam, which premiered as part of the American Experience series on April 3, 2012. The featured photos and the time they appear in the film are as follows:

A view of early excavation operations at Grand Coulee
'Excavation (site preparation)' Featured at 18:34
Columbia Basin Project, Grand Coulee Dam. Removing weathered and unsound surface rock in the bottom of the Columbia River Channel to provide for a watertight union of granite bedrock and the dam.
'Breaking Rock [02] (site preparation)' Featured at 45:16
Men and machines clean up debris from powerhouse area. Dam is in the background.
'Cleaning East Powerhouse Area (Spillway and drum gate consctruction' Featured at 54:22

PBS Documentary

The PBS Documentary Grand Coulee Dam features the history of the Grand Coulee Dam in northeast Washington State. Constructed during the Great Depression, the dam and irrigation project was expected to “make the desert bloom” and bring a boost of hydropower to the entire region. While it did succeed in bringing clean power to the area, while also becoming one of the largest agricultural irrigation projects in the country, the dam leaves behind a complex and contentious legacy.

A copy of the DVD is available at the University of Idaho Library. Watch the first chapter of the documentary below to learn more.

For additional resources and information about the movie, visit the PBS website.