News Release Archive

Grand Coulee Visitor Center Closes for New Exhibits

Media Contact: Diana Cross, (208) 378-5020, dcross@pn.usbr.gov
Craig Sprankle, csprankle@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: March 29, 2006

The Visitor Center at the Bureau of Reclamation's Grand Coulee Dam in north central Washington will close for the month beginning April 2 for installation of new exhibits throughout the building.

"This new program  Many Voices, One River  will be a unique addition to the educational experience at Grand Coulee Dam," said David Murillo, Reclamation power office manager.

The exhibits have been under design and fabrication for the last year and are being done by Formations, Inc., of Portland, Ore., under a contract with Reclamation. The exhibits will deal with how Grand Coulee functions as one of the main irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. Exhibits also address the effects the dam has had on various groups of people, including Native Americans and early settlers. Many of the exhibits are "hands-on", including a virtual tour of the dam by jet pack, an operating jack hammer, and an interactive game on operating the dam.

Although the center will be closed during the installation, tours of the dam are still available between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. For information on tours, call the Visitor Center at (509) 633-9265.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.