Bonneville Lock and Dam - Cascade Locks - Oregon

I've shown you the pioneers and the Oregon Trail, the other part about growing up in Oregon was having trees and mountains everywhere and spending summers on the coast. The outdoors we'll get to in a bit, but fish are plentiful.

When Darlene of Blazing Hot Wok and I met up, I suggested visiting Multnomah Falls and driving the back roads of the Historic Columbia River Highway to see more waterfalls. But first, we started at Bonneville Dam.



Bonneville Dam spans the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington. According to Wikipedia, the dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was named after Army Capt. Benjamin Bonneville, an explorer who charted a lot of the Oregon Trail.

Construction started in 1934, as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal projects to provide jobs during the Great Depression. In non-stop, 8-hour shifts, 3,000 workers were paid 50 cents an hour. The dam was completed in 1937.

Although the dam generated electrical power and helped navigate the river, it negatively impacted Native American populations whose villages were flooded and white sturgeon whose upstream spawning was blocked.



These pillboxes were used to guard Bonneville Lock and Dam during World War II. Bonneville was a potential target since power from the dam was used to build ships and aircraft during the war.



Forgot what the big propeller was used for, but the entrance to view the fish ladders is in the back. Notice the big sign that says U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.



Various kinds of salmon, sturgeon, and eels who all spawn upriver.



The viewing decks below the fish ladder.





It's kind of hard to tell how strong the currents pushing back the salmon are so I took video.




After that, we went upstairs to see the fish ladder from above.



Can you imagine having to swim up these currents?



All Oregon posts can be found in the tag, Series: Oregon. I suggest reading this particular trip in this order:
I-5 From LA to Portland
Mom and Dad's Garden
Burgerville - Portland - Oregon
Hakatamon - Beaverton - Oregon
I Think I'll Go For a Walk Outside Now...
Vista Point - Oregon City
End of Oregon Trail Interpretive Center - Oregon City
Stevens-Crawford Heritage House - Oregon City
Museum of the Oregon Territory - Oregon City
Mom's Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Sizzling Crepes)
Blackberry Cobbler
Bonneville Lock and Dam - Cascade Locks - Oregon
Bonneville Hatchery - Cascade Locks - Oregon
Multnomah Falls - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Horsetail Falls - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Wahkeena Falls - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Bridal Veil Falls - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Historic Columbia River Highway - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Latourell Falls - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Crown Point Vista House - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Banh Cuon Tan Dinh - Portland - Oregon (Closed)
Downtown Portland - Oregon
Lan Su Chinese Garden (Portland Classical Chinese Garden) - Portland - Oregon
Powell's City of Books - Portland - Oregon
Mom's Geoduck, Dynamite-Style and Chao Oc (Vietnamese Rice Porridge with Clams)
How to Prepare Geoduck and Razor Clams
Geoduck, Japanese Dynamite-style
Chao Oc (Vietnamese Rice Porridge with Clams)
Le Bistro Montage - Portland - Oregon
Kenny and Zuke's Delicatessen - Portland - Oregon

Bonneville Lock and Dam
Cascade Locks, OR 97014
541-374-8820

*****
1 year ago today, even old canes still have life.
2 years ago today, Pad See-Ew (Thai Rice Noodles with Soy Sauce, Broccoli, Chicken, and Eggs).