Electricity & Lasers at Grand Coulee Dam

A visit to Grand Coulee Dam serves as both an awe inspiring example of man-made magnificence, and a reminder that there’s a whole lot more to making electricity than meets the eye.

Grand Coulee Dam is located on the mighty Columbia River, and at a mile long is the largest concrete structure in the United States.  Some claim the largest in the world.  If you think the falls at Niagara are impressive, the falls over Grand Coulee are nearly twice Niagara’s height.

In addition to hydro-electric power, Grand Coulee Dam is part of the Columbia Basin Project, helping to provide water for irrigation and recreation.  Behind the dam, and extending up to the Canadian Border, is Lake Roosevelt.  Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is popular for boating, swimming, water skiing, camping, fishing, and picnicking.

Grand Coulee is open for tours, including an impressive glass elevator ride.  The visitor center shows a film about the construction of the dam, so you get a sense of the greatness of this project, and there are many historical photos, scale models, and engineering information about how the turbine engines make the dam work.  Note that security restrictions are in effect on the tours.  You may take a camera, but no other packages, backpacks, purses, bags, etc.

One of the summer highlights is the nightly laser show projected on the wall of the dam.  This is one of the most impressive laser shows around, and includes a full size image of the Statue of Liberty.  This free show last about 36 minutes, and the best viewing spots are said to be from the banks of Douglas Park and Crown Point (both below the visitor center).  There are, however, numerous viewing spots to watch the show.

The trip to Grand Coulee is primarily highway driving, and although lengthy (4 1/2 – 5 hours) is an enjoyable weekend trip.  It’s a great family weekend, combining the fun of outdoor recreation with a little painless education.

Location: Grand Coulee Dam is located off SR 55 in Grand Coulee (Eastern Washington) about 250 miles from Seattle, and about 45 miles from Spokane (map)

Date & Time: Tours are offered from 10 am – 5 pm, except in December and January, and last about an hour.  The Visitor Center is open varying hours, depending on the season, so check hours for the date of your visit.

Dates & Times for Laser Show: Nightly May 29th – July 31st, 2010 at 10 pm; at 9:30 pm nightly during August, and at 8:30 pm nightly during September.

Price: FREE

Photo credit:  Greg M. Erickson