Nisqually River Project

Tacoma Power’s Nisqually River Project, which includes Alder and LaGrande dams, generates needed electricity from a clean, renewable resource. It also provides excellent outdoor recreation and supports a healthy habitat for fish and wildlife. Tacoma Power built the original LaGrande Dam in 1912, and re-built LaGrande and added Alder in 1945. The project received another federal license in 1997.

Tacoma Power conducts numerous fisheries programs on the Nisqually River. Before LaGrande and Alder dams were built, a natural barrier that is now beneath LaGrande reservoir prevented fish from migrating upstream. Therefore, there was no need to install fish ladders at the dams.

Tacoma Power plants up to a half-million kokanee in Alder Lake each year to provide you with fishing opportunities. We also release water from LaGrande Dam to enhance the habitat for the Chinook and coho salmon that spawn downstream of the LaGrande Dam.

Tacoma Power's wildlife lands surround Alder Lake and skirt the Nisqually River both upstream and downstream of the dams. Our wildlife lands total 3,500 acres and support elk, deer, wood ducks, bats and thousands of other critters that depend on high-quality habitat.

For more information about the Nisqually River Project check out our newsletter.

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