2025 Grand Coulee Dam Tour
September 12 @ 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Registration for this event will open July 25th and close August 29th and is limited to 24.
Registration in IEEE Vtools here.
Topic: Grand Coulee Dam Tour
Date: Friday, Sept. 12th, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM (noon) – 4:30 PM
Place: Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center
Agenda:
12:00 pm – Check In, Introductions, Safety Talk
12:30 pm – 4:30 Tour-Crown Pt., North Dam, Banks Lake Headworks, Coulee Dam and Powerhouses
Location 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 for a safety briefing. We will then get into USBR vans and head to the Crown Point Viewing Area, North Dam, Banks Lake Headworks, Pumping Generating Plant, 3rd Powerhouse and top of the 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. 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 the time it takes to perform background checks. US citizens will be asked to provide a copy of their ID sent directly by email or mail 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. The email address of where to send your ID will be provided after registration.
- No backpacks, fanny packs, 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 https://www.usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee/visit/index.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.
Largest Indoor crane in the US.