Grand Coulee Dam: An Economic Powerhouse
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
15-5-2019
End Date
15-5-2019
Abstract
This presentation explores one of the most important industrial and engineering wonders of the world built during the early to the mid 20th century in the Columbia Basin of Central Washington. Before the Grand Coulee Dam, this area was nothing more than a desert sparsely filled with sagebrush. With this lack of developed land, it was realized that something must be done. This paper analyzes both government documents and writings by other individuals and entities regarding why the dam was such an important asset to the future of not only the Columbia Basin, but also the whole state of Washington and even the rest of the country. In particular, it explores arguments used at the time by proponents of the dam to persuade local people and federal officials to support this major construction project. One such argument was that the dam would supply a steady job market during the Great Depression. Second, the dam would provide a cheap and renewable power source, and lastly, an extensive irrigation system. All three reasons were argued to promote the dam’s construction.
Recommended Citation
Gillin, Dane, "Grand Coulee Dam: An Economic Powerhouse" (2019). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 63.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/63
Department/Program
History
Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation Gillin
Additional Files
Grand Coulee Dam Source 2019.pptx (571 kB)Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation Gillin
Grand Coulee Dam: An Economic Powerhouse
Ellensburg
This presentation explores one of the most important industrial and engineering wonders of the world built during the early to the mid 20th century in the Columbia Basin of Central Washington. Before the Grand Coulee Dam, this area was nothing more than a desert sparsely filled with sagebrush. With this lack of developed land, it was realized that something must be done. This paper analyzes both government documents and writings by other individuals and entities regarding why the dam was such an important asset to the future of not only the Columbia Basin, but also the whole state of Washington and even the rest of the country. In particular, it explores arguments used at the time by proponents of the dam to persuade local people and federal officials to support this major construction project. One such argument was that the dam would supply a steady job market during the Great Depression. Second, the dam would provide a cheap and renewable power source, and lastly, an extensive irrigation system. All three reasons were argued to promote the dam’s construction.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/63
Faculty Mentor(s)
Marji Morgan