Bonneville Dam
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.64426, -121.94086
- Elevation: 70 feet
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Description
Bonneville Dam is one of the oldest dams on the Columbia, constructed between 1933 and 1937. The second powerhouse was added in 1982. The dam is somewhat usual because it is made up of several dams on separate river channels with islands in between. From the north, the first channel is blocked by the new 1982 powerhouse. Next comes Cascades Island, then the second channel, dammed by the spillway, which regulates the water level in the reservoir. Bradford Island comes next, followed by the south channel, dammed by the original 1937 powerhouse and Robins Island. The final channel is the new lock, built in 1993. Only Bradford Island is natural; the others were created when new river channels were created.
Bonneville Dam is in the middle of a very historic area. There's a rich history here of natural landslides, Indian villages, river rapids, portage railroads and abandoned highways. Some historic sites remain accessible below the dam, others are underwater above the Dam.
Bonneville Dam can be viewed from many area hikes including the Buck Point Hike, the Wauna Viewpoint Hike, the Tooth Rock Loop Hike and the Aldrich Butte Hike.
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