Grand Coulee Dam (Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Grand Coulee
NID ID: WA00262
Longitude: -118.98333
Latitude: 47.9566
County: GRANT, OKANOGAN
River: COLUMBIA RIVER
State: WA
Nearest City: COULEE DAM CITY
Distance: 1.00 miles
Owner Name: DOI BR
Owner Type: Federal
Private Dam? No
Core: Bituminous Concrete (Type)
Foundation: RK
Purposes: Flood Control
Year Completed: 1941
Dam Length: 5673 feet
Dam Height: 550 feet
Structural Height: 550 feet
Hydraulic Height: 380 feet
Maximum Storage: 9562000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 9562000 acre-feet
Surface Area: 82300 acres
Drainage Area: 74100 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2011-03-08
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? No
State Regulating Agency: Federally Owned and Regulated
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 0 feet
Volume of Dam: 11975520 cubic yards
Federal Regulatory Agency: Department of Interior;
Bureau of Reclamation
Federal Inspection Agency: Department of Interior;
Bureau of Reclamation
Federal Operating Agency: Department of Interior;
Bureau of Reclamation
Federal Owner (Agency): Department of Interior;
Bureau of Reclamation
Other Federal Agencies: Department of Interior;
Bureau of Reclamation
Source Agency: Department of Interior;
Bureau of Reclamation

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:






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