Grand Coulee Dam Tour – Friday Sept 15, 2023
Topic: Grand Coulee Dam Tour
Date: Friday, Sept. 15, 2023
Time: 12:00 PM (noon) – 4:30 PM
Place: Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center
Registration Link: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/367877
Agenda
12:00 pm – Welcome and Introductions
12:30 pm – 4:30 Tour of the switchyard, Banks Lake Headwork, Coulee Dam and Powerhouses
Summary
Built by the Army Corps of Engineers between 1933 and 1942, Grand Coulee Dam was the largest concrete structure in the world for decades. With the expansion of the third power station in 1974 made it the largest power plant in the world at the time. It still remains the largest power plant in the USA with a capacity of over 6 GW in three power stations.
Tour Summary
The tour will start at 12:00 noon at the Visitor Center where we will receive a safety briefing. We will then get into USBR vans and head to the Banks Lake Headworks, BPA 230kV&500kV yards, Crown Point viewing area, 3rd Powerhouse and top of dam. Then back to the vans and visitor center by 4:30.
Visit Requirements
- This is a hard hat; VIP tour of an operating power plant so closed toe shoes and sensible clothing is required. Shorts, dresses, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, high heels are not permitted.
- Photo ID is required for this tour. Unfortunately, US Citizens only due to time it takes to perform background checks. US citizens will be asked to provide a copy of their ID to the USBR at least one week in advance of the tour and will be required to present their driver’s licenses or valid ID the day of the tour.
- No backpacks, fanny pack, bags, purses, etc., are allowed. Wallets fitting in a pocket are OK. Water will be provided along the way.
- This is a technical tour for IEEE members and their quests. There is a shorter tour available for the public that may be more appropriate for others such as younger children. More info on the public tour can be found at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee/visit/tour.html
- Coming early or staying late, the daily nightly laser show starts at 8:30 pm.
- There is a significant amount of standing, walking and climbing stairs on this tour.
- Photos are allowed in most areas of the tour. Restricted areas will be pointed out during the tour briefing.
RSVP Instructions
- To attend this tour, you will need RSVP at: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/367877 by Sept 8, 2023. Registration opens Monday July 31st.
- There is a $5.00 per person fee to attend this tour. Each person attending must be registered. If a guest is attending with you, they will need to be registered.
- Space is limited to 22 people due to the size of the tour vans.
Parking
Parking is in the Visitor Center parking lot on HWY 155.
Contact
Contact Max Emrick Seattle PES memrick@ieee.org or PES Seattle Contact Us for information on this tour.
