Straddling the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington, the Bonneville lock and dam was completed in 1938 as a means of transforming the unpredictable Columbia River into a powerhouse of hydroelectric energy. But what truly sets Bonneville apart is the fish ladders. These “stairways” of water help migrating salmon navigate around the concrete behemoth to reach their spawning grounds upstream. Visitors can watch salmon, steelhead, and other fish navigate the ladders at underwater viewing windows at either the Washington Shore Visitor Complex or the Bradford Island Visitor Center.
The dam itself is an impressive sight, with its towering spillways and a lock system that raises and lowers ships over 60 feet. Originally, the lock was the largest single-lift lock in the world, a title it held until it was replaced with an even larger version in 1993. Today, the dam continues to serve as a vital artery for river traffic, allowing barges and boats to bypass the river’s wild rapids.
Security fences and a guard booth at the dam’s entrance may look intimidating, but this engineering marvel is open to the public.
