The state that is named after President George Washington is not just evergreen, but has “ever-energy.” Thanks to its lake with 12 trillion liters of water, America can turn it into energy in a very futuristic way. It just goes to show, this state is so much more than its vast array of natural land formations. Next time you visit, take in the scenery with the abundance of power potential.
12 trillion liters of flowing energy in this lake
The state of Washington has a great love for its US presidents. Not only is the state named after a president, but one of its biggest and most essential lakes is as well. Lake Roosevelt was named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Grand Coulee Dam forms Lake Roosevelt, Washington’s biggest lake, and it plays a vital role in the local community.
The Grand Coulee Dam was built on the Columbia River between 1933 and 1942, and its construction took nine years due to its scale. Almost 12 million cubic yards (9.17 million cubic meters) of concrete were used to construct this dam. When comparing the Grand Coulee Dam to another well-known, vast body of water, namely the Hoover Dam, it is easy to understand why the term “grand” is used.
The Hoover Dam is 726.4 feet in height and 1,244 feet in width, which is already significantly big. Enter the Grand Coulee Dam with its 550 feet in height, which may be a bit shorter than the Hoover Dam, but it boasts a gigantic width of 5,223 feet. The Grand Coulee Dam is massive, and it ensures that Lake Roosevelt can contain 12 trillion liters of water. Now you must wonder, “What do the people of Washington do with so much water?”
America is changing water into energy
The Grand Coulee Dam serves three primary functions:
- Flood control
- Water storage
- Electricity production
The Grand Coulee Dam controls floods by blocking the water of the Columbia and Colorado Rivers when they are in overflow. Should the water become too much for the dam, it is released downstream in regulated quantities. As mentioned, the dam’s reservoir is Lake Roosevelt, which stores additional water for the dry seasons, which is utilized for irrigation and residential and business water supply. Its most essential function is to produce electricity.
Dams typically have turbines that change the kinetic energy of water into electricity. And America is turning water into electricity with the Grand Coulee Dam, which is the biggest hydroelectric dam facility in the US. The dam has a power capacity of 6,809 MW, and it produces more than 21 billion kilowatt-hours of power annually. To put it simply, that is enough power to supply 2 million households annually.
This dam is grand for many reasons beyond its power
Of course, the Grand Coulee Dam is so much more than its three primary functions. In 1936, a non-profit organization was established, which is known today as the Chamber of Commerce. This organization ensures that the Grand Coulee Dam region is maintained as an eco-friendly economic territory by:
- Advocacy
- Business promotion
- Education
- Tourism support and service
The Chamber of Commerce plays a crucial role in the local communities, uniting them through eco-friendly growth and business opportunities, highlighting their vision:
The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce is the leader in creating a sustainable business climate in our region. We unify our communtiy around objectives that will strengthen and grow our local economy, build business diversity, and improve our quality of life.
Hydroelectric dam facilities, such as the Grand Coulee Dam, are beneficial structures that not only ensure the safety of local communities but also contribute to their development and upkeep, whilst providing clean energy. The Grand Coulee Dam makes sure that Washington has a low carbon footprint and much more.