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.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Marji Morgan

Department/Program

History

Grand Coulee Dam Source 2019.pptx (571 kB)
Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation Gillin

Additional Files

Grand Coulee Dam Source 2019.pptx (571 kB)
Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation Gillin

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May 15th, 12:00 AM May 15th, 12:00 AM

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