Grand Coulee Dam

Grand Coulee Dam Quick Facts

Location: Okanogan, Washington
Coordinates: 47.9566, -118.9805
River: Columbia River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Concrete Gravity
Commissioned: 1941
Dam Height: 550 ft (168 m)
Dam Length: 5,673 ft (1,729 m)
Dam Capacity: 9,562,000 acre-ft (11,794,536 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Grand Coulee Dam Map

Grand Coulee Dam Information

Grand Coulee Dam is a concrete gravity dam located about 1 miles from Coulee Dam City, Okanogan, Washington.

The dam, which is on the Columbia River, was primarily built for flood risk reduction purposes, but also serves for Irrigation benefits.

The dam was designed by US Bureau of Reclamation and commissioned in 1941 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Grand Coulee Dam Structure

The Grand Coulee Dam is approximately 5,673 feet (1,729 m) long, 550 feet (168 m) high and has a structural volume of 11,975,520 cubic yards (9,155,944 cubic metres).

Grand Coulee Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 9,562,000 acre-ft (11,794,536 Ml) and maximum capacity of 9,562,000 acre-ft (11,794,536 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 82,300 acres (33,306 ha) and the total catchment area is 74,100 square miles (191,918 square kilometres).

Grand Coulee Dam Spillway

The dam has a 1485 feet (453 m) wide controlled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 265000 cubic feet per second (7504 cubic metres per second).

Grand Coulee Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Grand Coulee Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Grand Coulee Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Grand Coulee Dam

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Grand Coulee Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Grand Coulee Dam?

Grand Coulee Dam is in Washington.

In which county is the Grand Coulee Dam?

Grand Coulee Dam is in Okanogan County.

How high is the Grand Coulee Dam?

Grand Coulee Dam is 550 feet high.

How long is the Grand Coulee Dam?

Grand Coulee Dam is 5,673 feet long.

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More Dams in Okanogan County:

Conconully Dam
Grand Coulee Dam
Salmon Lake Dam
Spectacle Lake Dike

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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