Priest Rapids Dam

Wanapum Dam | Priest Rapids Dam | Small Hydros | Advanced Turbines

Priest Rapids Dam is located on the Columbia River, 24 miles south of Vantage and 200 miles downstream from Grand Coulee Dam.

The dam was named in recognition of the Wanapum religious leader Smowhalla and the small band of indigenous people that lived during the winter at a village near the last of seven rapids, called Priest Rapids.  A small group of the Wanapum continues to live alongside the tailrace of the dam.

Dam Facts:

• Construction started in July 1956.
• The general construction contract was for $91,880,625.
• Power generation began on October 19, 1959.
• Priest Rapids Dam is a reinforced concrete and earth fill structure.

10,103 feet long Maximum height from deepest point of excavation is 178 feet Spillway length - 1,142 feet 22 tainter gates each 40' X 50' 10 Kaplan type turbines 114,000 horsepower per unit 85.7 revolutions per minute Nameplate rating of 78,850 KW per generator Total capacity – 955,600 KW Two Fish ladders 13 square mile reservoir 95,500 square mile drainage area