Ice Harbor Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ice Harbor Dam |
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|---|---|
Ice Harbor Dam from the west,
north side of the Snake River. |
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Franklin / Walla Walla counties, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46°14′58″N 118°52′47″W / 46.2495803°N 118.8797221°W |
| Construction began | June 1955 |
| Opening date | 1962 |
| Owner(s) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Concrete gravity, run-of-the-river |
| Impounds | Snake River |
| Height | 100 feet (30 m) |
| Length | 2,822 feet (860 m) |
| Spillway type | Service, gate-controlled |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Sacajawea |
| Total capacity | 249,000 acre⋅ft (0.307 km3) |
| Surface area | 8,375 acres (33.89 km2) |
| Normal elevation | 443 feet (135 m) AMSL |
| Power station | |
| Turbines | 3 x 90 MW units; 3 x 111 MW units |
| Installed capacity | 603 MW 693 MW (max) |
The Ice Harbor Lock and Dam is a huge concrete structure on the Snake River in Washington state. It's a special type of dam called a hydroelectric run-of-the-river dam. This means it uses the natural flow of the river to create electricity.
The dam is located about 8 miles northeast of Burbank and 12 miles east of Pasco. Its name comes from a small bay where boats used to wait for ice to break up in the river.
Building the dam started in June 1955. The main parts and three generators were ready by 1961. Three more generators were added later in 1976. The dam can produce 603 megawatts of power. It can even go up to 693 megawatts when needed! The dam also has a spillway with ten gates, which is 590 feet long.
Contents
How Ice Harbor Dam Works
Ice Harbor Dam is part of a bigger system of dams on the Columbia River Basin. These dams work together to create electricity and help with river navigation.
Generating Power
The dam uses the river's flow to spin giant turbines. These turbines are like big fans that turn when water pushes them. This spinning motion creates electricity, which is then sent to homes and businesses.
Controlling Water Flow
The dam helps manage the river's water. It has gates that can open or close to let water through. This helps control floods and keeps the river at a good level for boats.
Visiting Ice Harbor Dam
There's a cool visitor center inside the dam on the south side of the river. It has been updated with a new film called "The Snake - River of Life." You can also use a modern touch screen to learn about the dam and fun things to do nearby.
Watching Fish Migrate
The visitor center has a special room where you can watch fish! It's a great spot to see Salmon, Steelhead, and Shad as they swim upstream. This is called a fish ladder viewing room. Remember, you'll need to pass through a security gate to get in.
Water Around the Dam
Behind the dam, there's a lake called Lake Sacajawea. It's named after Sacajawea, a famous Native American woman. This lake stretches for 32 miles upstream to another dam called Lower Monumental Dam.
The Wallula Channel
Downstream from the dam, the Snake River flows into the Columbia River. This area is called the Wallula Channel. It runs for 10 miles from the dam's base.
Climate at the Dam
The Ice Harbor Dam area has seen some extreme weather. The highest temperature ever recorded in Washington state was right here! It was 118°F (48°C) on August 5, 1961.
Images for kids
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Looking north, Ice Harbor Dam with lock and one fish ladder on the left (north side of the river), spillway in the middle of the dam, and the power generation station and another fish ladder on the south side (right) of the river.
