Dworshak Dam facts for kids
The idea for the Dworshak Dam began in 1953. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) studied a spot in Idaho near the Snake River. They believed this area would be perfect for holding a lot of water and creating electricity. The government decided to build the dam on the North Fork of the Clearwater River, about 1.9 miles (3.1 km) from where it joins the main river.
Building the dam started in 1966 and was finished in 1972. This amazing structure can produce 400 megawatts of electricity. A megawatt is a huge amount of power, enough to light up many homes! Dworshak Dam is one of the tallest dams in the world, ranking 22nd globally. It's also the 3rd tallest dam in the United States.
What is Dworshak Dam Like?
Dworshak Dam is a strong concrete dam. It stands very tall, reaching 717 feet (219 meters) from the very top to the lowest point. From the riverbed, it's 632 feet (193 meters) high. The dam is also very long, stretching 3,287 feet (1,002 meters) across the river.
The top of the dam is 44 feet (13 meters) wide. This top part is 1,613 feet (492 meters) above sea level. The main part of the dam is incredibly big. It holds about 6,500,000 cubic yards (5,000,000 cubic meters) of water. Imagine how much water that is!
Fun Things to Do at Dworshak Dam
One of the main reasons Dworshak Dam was built was to offer fun activities and help the local area. Many people visit the dam each year. Between 110,000 and 140,000 visitors come to Dworshak Dam, especially during the warm summer months when the water levels are high.
There are lots of exciting things to do there. You can go boating on the reservoir or try water-skiing. Camping is popular, and many people enjoy fishing for different kinds of fish. If you like being active, you can go hiking on nearby trails or even hunting in certain areas. It's a great place for outdoor adventures!
Images for kids
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Dworshak Dam
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Dworshak Reservoir, seen nearly full in June 2003
