News Release Archive

Celebrate the Centennial of Arrowrock Dam

Once Known as Idaho’s Eighth Wonder of the World

Media Contact: Kelly Bridges, (208) 378-5101, 09/25/2015 18:28
Erika Lopez, ealopez@usbr.gov

For Release: September 25, 2015

BOISE, Idaho – Nearly one hundred years ago, on Oct. 4, 1915, a group of Idaho citizens and the U.S. Reclamation Service celebrated the construction of Arrowrock Dam near Boise. At the time, Arrowrock Dam was the tallest dam in the world and generated national interest as an engineering marvel. Numerous design innovations from Arrowrock Dam were later incorporated into Owyhee and Hoover dams.

“I’m excited to share the history of this iconic dam,” said Jerry Gregg, manager of Reclamation’s Snake River Area. “We invite the public to learn more about Arrowrock Dam through viewing displays in the community, attending a special history presentation at the Garden City Library that includes rare glass plate negative photographs, and visiting the Arrowrock Dam Centennial website to watch the virtual tour, bringing the inside of the dam to light.”

Celebrate the Arrowrock Dam Centennial:

* View special exhibits about one hundred years of Arrowrock Dam history on display at the Boise Public Library, Garden City Library, Boise Watershed Environmental Education Center, and Idaho State Historical Museum. Check the calendar of events for dates: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/snakeriver/arrowrock100/pubs/calendar.pdf.

* Historian Kelsey Doncaster will be in Boise on Tuesday, Sept. 29, to share the fascinating story of Arrowrock Dam: Idaho's Eighth Wonder of the World at the Garden City Public Library as part of the Boise River Lecture Series from 6-7 p.m.

* Watch a guided video tour and check out historic photos on the Arrowrock Dam Centennial website at: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/snakeriver/arrowrock100/.

* Check out our latest YouTube video about the history of Arrowrock Dam: https://youtu.be/TvIj-4Ydhro
. Arrowrock Dam was constructed in 1915 as part of the Boise Project, Arrowrock Division. It is a multipurpose facility that provides for irrigation, flood control, hydropower and recreation.

# # #

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.

Relevant Link:

Arrowrock Dam Centennial Website

Video: Arrowrock Dam History