LaGrande Dam

Along with construction of Alder Dam, Tacoma Power built a new LaGrande Dam two miles down river. The new dam uses the 1912 powerhouse, which was enlarged with the addition of a 40,0000-kilowatt generator that accompanies the original four 6,000-kilowatt units. The powerhouse generates about 345 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. LaGrande Dam is 217 feet high and 710 feet long. The reservoir behind the dam covers 45 acres with only 3.5 miles of shoreline.

The diversion of water from LaGrande Dam to its powerhouse left a 1.7-mile-long stretch of river channel dry, except when water is released into the channel from the dam's spillway. Since receiving the new federal license, Tacoma Power maintains a continuous flow of water in this channel.

The 45-acre reservoir behind LaGrande Dam is not publicly accessible because of the steep, rugged terrain.

For a wealth of information about hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest, visit the Foundation for Water and Energy Education Internet site.