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Bonneville Dam

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This is a large federal power and waterway project in Washington and Oregon. It stands 40 miles east of Portland, Oregon and controls the flow of the lower Columbia River. The dam is 197 feet high and 2,690 feet long.

Its generators produce power that is marketed in the Pacific Northwest. The dam has raised the river water level and made it possible for large ships to travel up the river 188 miles. Boats pass the dam through a lock 76 feet wide and 500 feet long. Salmon can also pass over the dam by swimming through several fishways to spawning grounds in the upper course of the Columbia.

The US government began building the dam in 1933 and completed it in 1937. The dam carries Captain Benjamin de Bonnevill's name, an army officer who was the hero of Washington Irving's book, The Adventures of Captain Bonneville.

Location: Bonnevile Lock and Dam, US Army Corps of Engineers, Cascade Locks Oregon 97014 Telephone 541-374-8820

(Portland) Adventure Cruises & Tours
(The Dalles) Arrowhead Ranch
(Cascade Locks) Bonneville Dam
(North Bonneville) Bonneville Dam - WA Shore Visitor Center
(Cascade Locks) Bridge of the Gods
(Portland) C & C Aviation


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04/19 Coming to The Cascade Locks area
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival Hoquiam WA April26-28 Witness the migrating shorebirds at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and other birding hotspots in Grays Harbor County.
Columbia Gorge Wine and Pear Fest Hood River OR May18-19 Start off the weekend with friends and fun featuring Columbia Gorge wineries and eateries. Highlights include entertainment, live music, wine tasting, great food, fruit exhibits with samples, and local artisans.
4th Annual Tenor Guitar Gathering Astoria OR May30-June2 You'll hear guitars, ukeleles, banjos, and fiddles playing their tunes at the tenor guitar gathering.
Gorge Blues and Brews Festival Stevenson WA June21-22 Fine collection of local craft brews and local wines, a multitude of phenomenal foods, and great blues music, while benefiting local charities in the Columbia Gorge.
Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival Stevenson WA June25-28 Amazing talent, workshops, instrument contests and raffle, fine craft and food vendors, a merry beer garden, and nightly dances.