Grand Coulee Dam

Grand Coulee Dam is a gravity dam on the Columbia River built to produce hydroelectric power and provide irrigation. It was constructed between 1933 and 1942, originally with two power plants. A third power station was completed in 1974 to increase its energy production. It is the largest electric power-producing facility in the United States and one of the largest concrete structures in the world. While the Hoover Dam is taller, the Grand Coulee Dam is more than 3 times wider spanning just a few feet shy of 1 full mile across.

I made sure to take the free tour as well, which is the only way to actually set foot on top of the dam, and see the interior of one of the power generating plants. The tour was escorted by armed security even after passing through security equal to boarding a plane. Why? Because of this Dam was damaged, it would knock out power to the entire Western third of the United States… and flood much of Washington, Oregon, and lower Canada. Yikes!