Grand Coulee Dam Area Visitors' Guide 2023-2024

Electric City

Incorporated in 1950, Electric City offers outstanding recreational activities like golfing, fishing, boating, climbing, camping and generally enjoying the wonderful eastern Washington climate. Located just a few miles from the Grand Coulee Dam and Lake Roosevelt, numerous opportunities exist to enjoy yourself. Electric City is a beautiful place to live or visit.

A beautiful place to live or visit.

Come and see the historic Grand Coulee Dam, “the largest concrete structure in the United States.”

City of Electric City (509) 633-1510 electriccity.us

Skydeck Motel (509) 633-0290 skydeckmotel.com

Coulee Playland (509) 633-2671 couleeplayland.com

Sunbanks Resort (888) 822-7195 sunbanksresort.com

Banks Lake Golf (509) 633-1400 bankslakegolfcourse.webs.com

Enjoy the warm summer weather, and come experience some of the areas annual events like the Triple Fish Challenge in April, the Colorama Festival and PRCA Rodeo in May, Koulee Kids Fest in June, the amazing Festival of America in July, and the Run the Dam event in September.

Go on a hiking adventure at Northrup Canyon, view the unique Ice Age Flood geology, or just relax and get away from the big city for a while.

Electric City offers year-round fishing, an 18-hole golf course, access to miles of lakes for water sports, and a wide variety of camping, lodging and RV facilities, like Steamboat Rock State Park, Sunbanks Lake Resort, Coulee Playland, and the lakefront SkyDeck Motel.

No matter if you’re in pursuit of fur, feathers, horns or scales, the Grand Coulee Dam area has much to offer a dedicated sportsman.

Whether it’s fun and recreation, or rest and relaxation, Electric City is waiting just a few hours away from anywhere in Washington.

Steamboat Rock from Kruk’s Road outside of Electric City.

Located on the shores of Banks Lake and minutes from the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Electric City has much to offer visitors to the area.

Table of Contents

On the cover

A boat skims over Banks Lake looking tiny beneath the massive cliffs of the Grand Coulee wall, made of layers of basalt, solidified lava. It oozed out of the Earth over eons, then was carved away relatively quickly in the great Missoula Floods during the last Ice Age. As ice dams to the east, in what is now Montana, repeatedly filled and failed again, torrents of water, estimated at 10 times the flow of all the rivers on Earth today, rushed over the land, picking apart the rock, creating the Grand Coulee.

Basic Questions

What town am I in?

There are four towns adjacent to the Grand Coulee Dam. The city of Grand Coulee is above the dam. Electric City is two miles west of Grand Coulee. These two municipalities are located in Grant County. To the north, the town of Coulee Dam is directly below the dam. Coulee Dam — divided by the river — lies within three counties: Okanogan County on the east side of the river, and Douglas County and a tiny portion of Grant County on the west side of the river. The town of Elmer City, less than two miles north of Coulee Dam, also is in Okanogan County. The Colville Indian Reservation begins in the middle of the Columbia River Bridge in Coulee Dam and extends north to Omak. The east side of Coulee Dam and the town of Elmer City are within the boundaries of the reservation.

What time does the laser light show begin?

10 p.m. from the end of May through July 31, 9:30 p.m. until Sept. 1, 8:30 p.m. through Sept. 30.

No tickets are needed; it’s free. And if you watch from your car, you can tune in on a radio to hear its important audio on 90.1 FM.

Where can I view this show?

•The best location: the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center (VC) at the dam and from the park below the VC. These areas are covered by an outdoor sound system.

•On the east side of the bridge and across the street from the Coulee Dam Casino, a terraced, grassy park makes a great place to watch the show and hear the accompanying audio.

•Other view spots: from Douglas Park in Coulee Dam, from Crown Point Vista atop the granite cliffs and above Lake Rufus Woods — access from SR-174 toward Bridgeport.

• The USBR broadcasts the audio portion of the Laser Light Show nightly at 99.9, 98.5, 91.9 FM..

How do I take a tour of Grand Coulee Dam?

In 2023, public tours at the John W. Keys III PumpGenerating Plant are offered May 29–Oct. 31. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis, running approximately one hour. Availability is limited and subject to change. Tours can be canceled without notice and admission is free.

Tours start at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (Pacific Time):

Tour participants must pass through a metal detector prior to beginning the tour. Weapons, purses, bags, backpacks, fanny packs, and packages are not permit-

ted on the tour. You may bring cameras on the tour, but all camera cases must remain in vehicles. Onsite storage for personal belongings is unavailable.

From the visitor center, turn right onto Highway 155 (Columbia Avenue) and head northwest toward the Columbia River Bridge and continue straight onto Roosevelt Way. Continue straight to enter the fenced area. At the stop sign, turn left on Bureau Road and follow the road to Marina Way. The tour center is approximately one-half mile down on Marina Way.

Where are public restrooms?

•Steamboat Rock State Park, SR-155 eight miles south of Electric City

•Coulee Playland, SR-155, Electric City

•North Dam Park, SR-155, west of Grand Coulee

•Grand Coulee City Hall, SR-155, Grand Coulee

•Grand Coulee City Park, SR-174

•Etheta Anderson Memorial Library, Grand Coulee

• Spring Canyon, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, SR-174 east

•Visitor Center and park below

•Mason City Memorial Park, Coulee Dam, across street from Havest Foods and Variety

•Coulee Dam Town Hall, 300 Lincoln, Coulee Dam

Where can I find overnight accommodations?

•AREA MOTELS:

Coulee Dam - Columbia River Inn, 10 Lincoln Ave., 509-633-2100, 800-633-6421; Coulee House Inn and Suites, 110 Roosevelt Way, 509-633-1101, 800-715-7767

Grand Coulee - Grand Coulee Center Lodge, 404 Spokane Way, 509-633-2860, 866-633-2860; TrailWest Motel, 108 Spokane Way, 509-633-3155

Electric City - The Skydeck Motel, on Banks Lake, 509-633-0290

• AREA CAMPGROUNDS - Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake, 11 miles south of Electric City on SR155, 509-633-1304; Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt, 1.4 miles east of Grand Coulee on SR-174, 509-6339188; Coulee Playland Resort on Banks Lake in Electric City, 509-633-2671; Lakeview Terrace Mobile Park, 2.4 miles east of Grand Coulee on SR-174, 509-633-2169; King’s Court, SR-174 toward Wilbur, 509-633-3655.

Where can I eat?

Family Style

Hometown Pizza, 121 Bridgeport Hwy.Grand Coulee

PK’s Culinary, 415 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee

HiDam Tavern, Grand Coulee

Voltage Coffee House, Grand Coulee

The Spillway in Coulee Dam Casino

Fast Foods

Bens, Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam

HiDam Tavern, Grand Coulee

Horn’s Electric City Bar & Grill, Electric City

Specialty

Café Espresso, Grand Coulee

Siam Palace (Chinese/Thai/American), Main St., Grand Coulee

La Presa (Mexican), SR-174, Grand Coulee

Where can I have a picnic?

•Steamboat Rock State Park, SR-155, eight miles south of Electric City in the Grand Coulee

•Spring Canyon, SR-174 east toward Spokane

•Grand Coulee Dam’s Visitor Center Park, below dam. Roosevelt Memorial Park. (Look for the bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt off SR155 above the top of the dam.)

• Municipal parks are located at: North Dam Park, SR-155, Grand Coulee (covered eating area); Grand Coulee City Park, SR-174 east toward Spokane; Douglas Park, SR-155, Coulee Dam; Cole Park, just off SR-155 on Columbia Avenue (do not cross Columbia River Bridge); Mason City Memorial Park, across street from Coulee Dam shopping center; National Park Service headquarters, Crest Drive, Coulee Dam.

Where can I launch a boat?

Public launches on Banks Lake are at: Coulee Playland, Jones Bay, Northrup Point and Steamboat Rock State Park. On Lake Roosevelt, local launch ramps are at Crescent Bay in the city of Grand Coulee, and at Spring Canyon campground, both operated by the National Park Service. The Columbia River below Grand Coulee Dam (Lake Rufus Woods) can be accessed at Seaton's Grove, north of Elmer City.

Where can I buy postcards, gifts, and souvenirs?

Many area retailers carry postcards, as do motels, restaurants and area concessionaires.

•In Coulee Dam:

Colville Tribal Museum

Harvest Foods & Variety

Coulee View & Fuel

•In Grand Coulee:

Coulee Wall Variety, Four-Corners, Spring Canyon Conoco

VISITOR

• In Electric City:

Coulee Playland Resort

A&S Grocery

Coulee Pioneer Museum

•Outer Area: Grant County Museum, Ephrata River Rue, Keller Ferry

What else is there to do besides tour the dam?

•12 Tribes Coulee Dam Casino, 516 Birch, Coulee Dam

•Banks Lake Golf Course, public golf, SR-155 west of Electric City, 7 a.m.dark

• Hikingtrailsaboundinthecouleearea. See Hike section pages 38-39.

•Houseboat, skiing and fishing boat rentals on Lake Roosevelt

• Boating on Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt and Rufus Woods Lake; Small boat, party boat and pedal boat rentals at Coulee Playland, Electric City

• Swimming at Steamboat Rock State Park and Coulee

Playland on Banks Lake, and at Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt

•Canoeing on Crescent Lake, below the city of Grand Coulee

•View Gehrke Windmills, North Dam Park, Grand Coulee

•Panoramic view of Grand Coulee Dam at Crown Point Vista. Take Highway 174 two miles west toward Bridgeport and watch for signs. Great spot for camera buffs.

•Bowling at Riverview Lanes in Coulee Dam

•Public library, Federal Avenue, Grand Coulee

•Tennis courts at North Dam Park, Grand Coulee; behind the Credit Union in Coulee Dam's Cole Park; and at Lake Roosevelt High School

•Year-round fishing

•Skate Park, North Dam

•See gcdvisitor.com for updates and other activities.

An ice climber nears the top of an ice formation above Banks Lake along SR-155.

Where are the grocery stores/mini marts?

• Electric City — A&S Grocery, Coulee Playland.

• Grand Coulee — 4 Corners where SR-174/155 meet; Spring Canyon on Grand Coulee Ave., Safeway - SR-174.

• Coulee Dam — Harvest Foods & Variety, Coulee View, 2 Okanogan Ave.

Where can I get propane?

4-Corners Chevron, Coulee Wall Variety Store, in Grand Coulee, Coulee Playland, in Electric City, and Harvest Foods in Coulee Dam. Refill RV propane tanks at Coulee Hardware.

Where are holding tanks dumped?

Coulee Playland, Electric City; Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake; Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt; and Coulee Dam's station on Stevens Ave., one block off Columbia, near Coulee View 2 Mini Mart.

Is medical care available?

Coulee Medical Center is open seven days a week, with the emergency room open 24 hours a day in Grand Coulee. Take SR-174 toward Bridgeport, watch for road signs. The center is on the right just past the four-corners as you head toward Bridgeport.

The feeder canal carries a river of water pumped up 280 vertical feet from Lake Roosevelt in the background to Banks Lake, which is an irrigation reservoir that waters 670,000 acres of farmland in the Columbia Basin project.

Grand Coulee Dam Facts

When was Grand Coulee Dam built and by whom?

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began construction of Grand Coulee Dam in 1933 as the key structure in its multipurpose Columbia Basin Project. It has since become the linchpin in harnessing the second largest river in the United States. It took nine years to build the dam, but even more years of battling and political maneuvering before construction started. While it was recognized early in the century that the Columbia Basin had rich farmland that only needed water to flourish, the method for providing that water caused much controversy. A Spokane group insisted upon a

134-mile gravity-flow canal from Lake Pend Oreille to the Basin, while a Wenatchee/Central Washington group favored building a big dam on the Columbia at Grand Coulee. The battle raged for 13 years.

At its conclusion, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized $60 million to get the dam project started.

In the Grand Coulee, life changed dramatically and quickly once work on the dam began in 1933. Not only did the undertaking of this massive project forever change the shape of the river, but overnight it created towns where nothing but sagebrush, sand and rocks had previously existed.

Thousands came to the Grand Coulee looking for work in the midst of the Depression. They worked around the clock to finish the dam by 1942.

Grand Coulee Dam on an evening in spring with Banks Lake and Steamboat Rock in the distance to the south. If you look closely, you can see the dozen “penstocks,” or huge pipes, that take the water up 280 feet to the feeder canal, which is above the Left Powerhouse in the photo.

Big jobs on the biggest power facility

Above, workers are doing maintenance on the drum gates on top of the spillway on Grand Coulee Dam. Below, a shot of the (almost) full mile, wide-plus dam. The Left Powerhouse is in the foreground on the right, the Right Powerhouse is tucked past the spillway, and the Third Powerhouse extends to the left from there.The two photos together give some sense of the size of the dam, the power from which can be used to support other renewable energy production, such as wind and solar, which does not have ready-made energy storage, like Lake Roosevelt. Grand Coulee is the largest energy production plant in North America by capacity. Lake Roosevelt must be lowered at least 35 feet from full pool to do the work each spring on the drum gates.

How many dams are on the Columbia River?

Altogether, a total of 11 dams have been built on the river in the United States, as it winds its way from the Canadian border toward the Pacific Ocean; Grand Coulee Dam is the keystone of the Columbia River system dams. Five other dams in the Big Bend region of the river also offer facilities for visitors — Chief Joseph Dam on Highway 17 in Bridgeport; Wells Dam, south of Brewster on Highway 97; Rocky Reach Dam, north of Wenatchee on Highway 97; Wanapum Dam, six miles south of the I-90 crossing of the Columbia; and Priest Rapids Dam on Highway 243.

How big is Grand Coulee Dam?

Grand Coulee Dam dwarfs the Great Pyramids of Egypt and generates more power than a million locomotives. An engineering wonder, it is also the country’s largest hydroelectric project.

Grand Coulee Dam is one of the largest concrete structures in the world, containing almost 12 million cubic yards of concrete. It towers 550 feet above bedrock (as high as the Washington Monument) and is 500 feet wide at its base. There is enough concrete in the dam to build two standard six-foot-wide sidewalks around the world at the equator.

How is the electricity produced?

Electricity is generated by unseen torrents of water rushing through the turbines within the dam’s hydroelectric plants. There are three powerhouses at Grand Coulee Dam with a total rated capacity of 6,809 megawatts, making this dam the largest hydroelectric producer in the United States.

What is the dam’s main purpose?

Actually, Grand Coulee Dam has three important functions: irrigation, power production and flood control. Although electricity was not foreseen as a primary function when the dam was built, today the production of electrical energy is one of Grand Coulee Dam’s most important jobs. Recreation is another important function, facilitated by the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

A group gets a special tour inside a powerhouse at Grand Coulee Dam.

How many acres does Grand Coulee Dam help irrigate?

Water supplied by Grand Coulee Dam irrigates more than 670,000 acres of rich farmland in the Columbia Basin annually.

Water from Lake Roosevelt (behind the dam) is lifted 280 feet up a hillside to flow into the Banks Lake reservoir, where it starts a journey that eventually covers an area more than twice the size of the state of Delaware. Each of the six conventional pumps in Grand Coulee’s Pump-Generator Plant is powered by a 65,000-horsepower motor and will pump 1,600 cubic feet of water per second, or 781,128 gallons per minute.

In addition, six pump-generators, each having a 67,500-horsepower rating, can pump 1,948 cubic feet of water per second. One of these 12 units can fill the water needs of a city the size of Chicago, Illinois.

Steamboat Rock at sunrise as viewed from above. You’re looking south down Banks Lake. The irrigation reservoir exists because the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation pumps all its water up 280 feet from Lake Roosevelt to a feeder canal. The lake waters 670,000 acres of farmland in the Columbia Basin.

As the drum gates at the top of the spillway lower, water falls from Lake Roosevelt as the USBR works to maintain prescribed flood control levels in the spring. Spills don’t always happen. In fact, they represent wasted energy sometimes made necessary simply by too much water in a wet year, not enough demand for electricity at the time, or sometimes both. Coordinating the flow of water (and energy) coming down the Columbia River is a multipleagency effort that involves reading or anticipating snowpack levels in Canada, rainfall, energy needs, and more.

How does Grand Coulee Dam help in flood control?

Each spring, the water level of Lake Roosevelt, behind Grand Coulee Dam, is lowered to make space for massive amounts of water that will flow down the Columbia River in late spring and summer as rising temperatures melt snow in the Rocky Mountains. The water is “captured” in the lake to prevent flooding downstream and to provide a steady flow of water for the whole year.

How big is Lake Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam?

The dam’s blocking of the Columbia River has created Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, which extends 151 miles upstream to the Canadian border. The reservoir has a shoreline of 660 miles, a surface area of 82,000 acres, and a total storage capacity of 9,562,000 acrefeet of water.

How is Lake Roosevelt managed for public recreation?

Recreation on the lake is managed cooperatively by three federal agencies and two Indian tribes. The National Park Service has authority for the portion of the lake and adjacent shoreland comprising the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LRNRA). The Colville Confederated Tribes and the Spokane Tribe manage public recreation along the areas of the

lake and shoreline that fall within their reservation boundaries. Other partners cooperating in the lake’s management are the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Each year, more than a million visitors enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities of the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

How do I take a tour of Grand Coulee Dam?

This 50-minute guided tour is free of charge and available only on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour begins at the tour building, on the east side of the river above the Third Power Plant, where you will board a van and be taken to the Pump-Generating Plant. Highlights include a look at the large pumps used for transporting water from Lake Roosevelt to the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, concluding with a van ride across the top of the dam. Handicapaccessible tours are available with advanced notice by calling (509) 633-9265.

All tour participants are required to pass through a metal detector prior to beginning the tour. Weapons, purses, bags, backpacks, fanny packs, and packages are not permitted on the tour. Cameras, but not camera cases, are allowed on the tour. On-site storage for personal belongings is not available. Be sure to lock your car. A federal armed security officer will escort all public tours.

A foggy winter sunrise colors the penstocks above the pump-generating plant at Grand Coulee Dam, which carry water pumped up from Lake Roosevelt to irrigate hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland in the Columbia Basin. Tours are offered of the John W. Keys III Pump-Generating plant. — Craig Brougher photo

Where can I camp?

At a private campground

Coulee Playland Resort, SR-155, 509-633-2671

Goose Creek RV Park, Wilbur, 509-647-5888

River Rue, Keller Ferry, 509-647-2647

At a state park

Steamboat Rock State Park — One of the most popular attractions along Banks Lake, this park is 5,043-acre camping park with 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline. Three campground areas and a large dayuse area are protected from winds by tall poplars, a camping, swimming, hiking and boating mecca. One of more than 100 state parks, Steamboat Rock is among Washington’s best. It has a sandy beach and sheltered swim area (no lifeguards), plus a modern bath house and a concession stand. The wide grassy picnic area contains playground equipment and a truly unique view of Banks Lake and Steamboat Rock.

For overnight camping, this state park offers 100 campsites with full hookups. Water, electricity, sewer, tables and stoves are on each site, and 26 standard sites with table, stove, and tent pad, plus 12 boat-in campsites located on the north end of Steamboat Rock. The restrooms have hot showers.

The park also offers 80 primitive sites at Jones Bay and Osborne Bay Campgrounds, with tables, stoves and vault toilets, but no running water.

Steamboat Rock State Park is part of the state’s reservation camping system. Reservations can be made year-round by going online at www.parks.wa.gov or by calling 888-226-7688. The popular campground fills up fast and early reservations are recommended. The park is open for camping year-round.

Please Note: A permit is required at all state parks for boat launching and trailer dumping.

Permits may be obtained at the park office or from the Washington State Parks Commission in Olympia, Washington.

At NPS campgrounds

There are 35 campgrounds located along the 660 miles of shoreline around Lake Roosevelt. Five of these are maintained by the Colville Confederated Tribes, two others by the Spokane Tribes and 28 by the National Park Service.

These facilities are available for camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and fishing.

NPS camping sites along the lake vary from fee campgrounds with major facilities, including picnic areas, swim beaches and interpretive programs, to primitive boat-in campgrounds.

• Spring Canyon on SR-174 is the closest NPS campground; turn left approximately three miles east of the town of Grand Coulee.

There are 87 campsites including RV (dump station

but no hookups), tent and group camping sites. Fees are charged. Reservations are available by going online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Other major NPS campgrounds are located at Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay and Kettle Falls.

• Keller Ferry is about 14 miles from Spring Canyon by boat, or 15 miles overland from the Highway 2 cut-off near Wilbur. This area includes a marina, store, and free ferry across the lake to the Colville reservation.

• Fort Spokane, built in 1880 and used by the U.S. Army until 1898, became an Indian agency, boarding school and tuberculosis hospital until the late 1920s. It’s about 50 miles up the lake from Spring Canyon at the confluence of the Columbia and Spokane Rivers. To see Fort Spokane, take SR-174 to Highway 2 east, watch for road signs and turn north at Miles-Creston Road, just east of Creston.

The Fort Spokane campground is the second largest in the recreation area. Picnic area, historic trail, swim beach and boat launch are available.

• Kettle Falls, at the north end of the lake, is enjoyed for its beautiful setting and good boating. It has a houseboat rental operation.

Indian reservation camping when available

The Colville Tribes offers 17 camping sites on the Colville Indian Reservation that are open to nonmembers.

A map of the sites is available online at www.colvilletribes.com/parks-recreation

The basic rules of camping on the reservation, a regulation book PDF and permit files are available there.

Permits for camping, hunting, fishing, boat launching, and reservation use can be purchased online at https://colville.nagfa.net/online/.

The tribal Parks and Recreation office can be reached at 509-634-3145 weekdays, as well as the tribal Fish and Wildlife office at 509-634-2110.

Clear waters and sandy beaches on Lake Roosevelt make for happy dogs, as well as humans.

Are the fish biting?

Is fishing good in the GCD area?

The three largest reservoirs in the state of Washington are within 10 miles of Grand Coulee Dam — Roosevelt, Banks and Rufus Woods all offer excellent year-round fishing. McGinnis and Buffalo Lakes on the Colville Confederated Tribes’ reservation can also be fished.

Many changes have occurred to the warm-water fisheries on Banks Lake and Lake Roosevelt. Increased smallmouth bass and walleye limits and reduced size restrictions should keep you out on the lake all day! Make sure you measure your fish and keep only what you can eat.

What kinds of fish are found locally?

There are over 14 species of game fish found in nearby Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, Rufus Woods Lake and Banks Lake. These include: largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, kokanee, perch, crappie, whitefish, ling cod, sunfish and sturgeon. The sturgeon is by far the largest, and has been known to measure over 13 feet and weigh over 1,000 pounds. For fishing information, call Coulee Playland Resort at 509-633-2671.

When can I fish Lake Roosevelt?

This major waterway is a year-round fishery in Washington state. Fishermen are reminded to adhere to state and tribal fishing regulations. Copies are available where fishing licenses are sold.

Rainbow and kokanee are the stars of the lake, with walleye and smallmouth bass in supporting roles.

In the summer months, trolling is the most popular way to fish the lake. During the cooler months, bank fishing is popular where fishermen can stand by a fire or sit in their rigs while waiting for the fish to strike. Still fishing is popular above Grand Coulee Dam during the winter and spring.

A tribal license is required on the north side of the reservation on Colville Reservation and above the Third Powerhouse.

What kind of fishery is Banks Lake?

The sprawling Banks Lake reservoir covers 30,000 acres and is regarded as one of the finest fishing lakes in the state for bass, perch and walleye. In spring, summer and fall, it provides plenty of room for fishermen, both along its shores and from boats. In winter, ice fishing is popular and, depending on the winter, can last as long as four months.

Banks Lake has a growing reputation and is becoming increasingly attractive to bass organizations hosting tournaments. For more information on these tournaments, stop by or call Coulee Playland Resort at 509-633-2671.

Tribal lakes

Rufus Woods Lake – 52-mile reservoir stretching from Grand Coulee Dam to Chief Joseph Dam in Bridgeport, is an excellent fishery too. Locally, a boat launch is located near Elmer City on Lower River Road. Heading north, turn left onto Lower River Road just past Lake Roosevelt High School on SR-155. Or ask one of the friendly folks in Elmer City. Boating is prohibited between the SR-155 bridge and Grand Coulee Dam.

VISITOR

McGinnis Lake – Take SR-155 north from Coulee Dam toward Nespelem. Approximately one mile past Elmer City (three miles from Coulee Dam) turn right on Peter Dan Road. Drive about three miles, then watch for a sign which indicates a left turn toward McGinnis and Buffalo lakes. Three or four miles after this turnoff, the road comes to a “T.” Take the right turn and the lake is a quarter mile away.

Buffalo Lake – Follow the same directions to McGinnis Lake, but turn left at the “T” instead of right. Buffalo

Continued on page 17

Lakeliesanotherthreetofourmiles beyond, on a good dirt road.

Can you fish on the reservation?

Yes,withatribalpermit,available athttps://colville.nagfa.net/online/.

From the 2022-24 fishing rules for non-members:

“All non-members fishing from the Reservation shoreline on Crawfish Lake, Lake Pateros (Wells Pool), Washburn Pond, Rufus Woods Lake (except at a designated fishing area, the Columbia River above Grand Coulee Dam, or the Okanogan River MUST have in their possession a valid Colville Indian Reservation fishing permit.

“All non-members fishing by boat on Reservation Boundary Waters MUST have in their possession either a valid Colville Indian Res-ervation fishing permit or a valid fishing license issued by the state of Washington.”

Tribal fishing regulations can be downloaded from https://www.cct-fnw.com/regulations-permits/.

Monthly Fishing Guide

January: Ice fishing attracts its own special following in the coulee. Some years, Banks Lake has safe ice for four months; other years, for only two week; and at times, no ice at all. Ice may form as early as December and run through February, or be available only for a fortnight in January. A unique way to ice fish on this lake is at night using a gas lantern, with the prey being whitefish. The best ice fishing spot on Banks Lake is the causeway area west of Electric City—for perch.

Many anglers fish the shoreline of Lake Roosevelt for large rainbow by parking their vehicle next to the lake. (Caution: unattended poles warrant a $100 fine.) A two-rod endorsement may be purchased; check the fishing regulations.

February: Walleye fishing now comes into its own, with boat fishermen launching their boats at the Elmer City ramp (below the dam; check on accessibility) and fishing either upstream to the Highway 155 bridge or downstream to Chief Joseph Dam, a distance of approximately 50 miles.

Shore fishing continues along Lake Roosevelt for large rainbow and kokanee (silvers or landlocked sockeye salmon).

March: During the month of March, the ice is about gone from Banks Lake and now the big walleye are caught.

Fishing on Lake Roosevelt is good not only from a boat, but also from the shore. Crescent Bay Lake, midway between Grand Coulee and the dam, offers spiny ray fishing from the bank. Boats with motors are not permitted on the lake.

The fishing is also good for walleye and trout in the Columbia River below Grand Coulee Dam.

April: The month of April is a continuation of March fishing patterns, with a few additions. The lakes on the Colville Indian Reservation open to fishing. McGinnis and Buffalo Lakes provide excellent trout fishing. McGinnis Lake has only eastern brook, with some exceeding three pounds. Buffalo carries “brookies,” rainbow and kokanee.

Weekend bass tournaments are scheduled April through October on Banks Lake. Bass tournament headquarters are usually at Coulee Playland Resort (between Grand Coulee and Electric City).

The Banks Lake Triple Fish Challenge is held the fourth weekend in April.

May: Many area fishermen head for Grand Coulee Dam in May, where they fish directly upstream or downstream from the dam.

Rainbow and walleye are caught not only early in the evening, but also during the pre-dawn hours.

A major bass tournament is held on Banks Lake over the Memorial Day weekend.

June: In Banks Lake, the walleye are taking jigs and spinners, just about anything tipped with a nightcrawler.

Lake Roosevelt is dotted with boats fishing for rainbow and silvers. Some fishermen use “hardware” (Pop Geer and Ford Fenders) while others use small spoons fished from either leaded line or with a downrigger 30 to 50 feet below the surface.

Walleye can be found in local waters.

July/August: Lake Roosevelt is usually warm enough by the end of July that the water is tolerable for swimming close to shore. During these warm months, however, fish will seek the cooler, deep waters of the lake.

Other spiny rays that offer fishing all summer long are perch and “slab” crappie in the small coves along Banks Lake.

September/October: While the fishing is still exceptional in September, hunting season arrives. With the emphasis now on hunting, sportsmen tend to taper off their fishing during October.

November/December: If the month of November has been cold, Banks Lake is beginning to freeze and ice fishing comes to mind. The small bays freeze first and offer fishing for yellow perch. By December, the lake is often ice-bound and holes are being cut in the ice.

FISHING REGULATIONS KEEP CHANGING. PLEASE REFER TO THE CURRENT STATE AND TRIBAL FISHING REGULATIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Hunting in the Coulee

What’s it like?

To the outdoorsman who likes to hunt, the Grand Coulee Dam area offers unparalleled hunting pleasure. No matter if the hunter is in pursuit of fur, feathers or horns, the coulee has much to offer to the sportsman.

Beginning in September with the opening of dove season, through the middle of March when rabbit season ends, the hunter will find a variety of animals, birds and waterfowl to test his or her skills.

Weather extremes are also a factor. The dove season opener usually brings the warmest weather of the year. A goose hunter in December and January may experience sub-zero temperatures, while the March rabbit hunter will encounter weather comparable to late October and early November.

The mourning doves arrive in July and by the first of September, the normal opening day, this migratory buzz-bomb is ready to test the mettle of the best wing shooter. They always fly fast. Then add a tail wind and they will appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. These birds can be found in stubble fields on both sides of the coulee walls and can also be found in sagebrush and scabland surrounding some stubble fields.

With the end of dove season, usually around the middle of September, the hunter waits for the opening of the general hunting season in which upland birds, deer and waterfowl open on one glorious October Saturday.

Mule deer can be found in sagebrush-covered flatland and draws surrounding the coulee, as can a few whitetail close to timber. Special archery-hunting seasons can also be found in the area.

Opening day also sees the upland bird hunter, with his flushing and pointing dogs, hunting the brushy

draws for quail, the rugged hills for chukkar, and the stubble fields for Hungarian partridge or more commonly known as “huns.”

At the same time, the waterfowl hunter, with his retriever, is scouring the small potholes and lakes for ducks and the stubble fields for geese.

As any bird and waterfowl sportsman knows, the birds soon become wary. Quail, chukkar, “hun” and the

Continued on page 19

Mule and Whitetail Deer are abundant.

Turkey hunting is also very popular in the area.

occasional Chinese pheasant flush as the 4x4 stops and it is only the skillful hunter who can put birds in the game bag during this period.

The ducks cannot be found, as they spend most of their days out of harm’s way on the waters of the big reservoirs.

The goose hunter spends his days, when he is not hunting, driving the miles of back roads in the coulee looking for feeding geese. Once the birds are spotted and found to be using a particular field, the hunters dig their pit long before daylight the following morning. (They have, of course, been careful to obtain permission from the landowner first.)

Once the pit is dug, they wait in hopes that the geese will return to the same field as they did the morning before.

By the middle of November, deer season is usually over, except for a few special hunts, and the only quarry to be bagged are the upland birds and waterfowl.

By the end of December, the dedicated goose hunter becomes a solitary figure in the fields, as most seasons usually end the first of January.

When goose season ends in the middle of January, a few hunters will begin hunting the cottontail rabbit until the end of February.

Then there is always fishing if a hunter gets tired and wants a change of pace during the day.

Coulee country encompasses many acres of state and federal land that offer free hunting. Write to the Department of Natural Resources, in Olympia, for information and maps of the area. Or visit one of the local businesses advertising hunting licenses.

A personal watercraft pilot has fun spinning a spiral on Banks Lake.

A scene you may never see if you’re only here in the summer: A normally underwater basalt haystack rock rests on newly exposed beach on Lake Roosevelt in early spring, when lake levels are often lowered to make room for spring runoff from area mountains, including from Canada. The Columbia drains an area the size of France.

Lake Roosevelt facts

When was Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake formed?

When construction of the Grand Coulee Dam was completed in 1941, the waters of the mighty Columbia River began to backfill behind this enormous concrete structure. As a result, the waters of the once-untamed river swelled to create a 151-mile long reservoir, first called Columbia Reservoir. It was renamed Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake in honor of the 32nd President of the United States on April 17, 1945, five days after the death of Roosevelt.

What is the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area?

Lake Roosevelt is a federally-owned reservoir which is administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. However, recreation on the lake is managed cooperatively

by three federal agencies and two Indian tribes. The National Park Service (NPS) has recreation authority for that portion of the lake and adjacent shoreland comprising the Lake Roosevelt National

Recreation Area (LRNRA). The Colville Confederated Tribes and the Spokane Tribe manage recreation along those areas of the lake and shoreline that fall within their reservation boundaries.

The two other partners in the management agreement are Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

How many campgrounds are there in the LRNRA?

Thirty-five campgrounds are located along the 660 miles of shoreline around Lake Roosevelt. Five are maintained by the Colville Confederated Tribes, two by the Spokane Indian Tribe and 28 by the National Park Service. The facilities provide opportunities for camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and fishing.

Size matters

Two USBR workers appear tiny as they do spring maintenance work on drum gates atop Grand Coulee Dam. The gates float in water reservoirs controlled by operators. When you see the water spill before the Laser Light Show, these enormous gates have been lowered slightly. The photo was taken from a pull-off on SR-174, just northwest of the city of Grand Coulee.

Is there a fee for camping?

Camping sites along the lake vary from fee campgrounds with major facilities, picnic areas, swim beaches and interpretive programs, to primitive boat-in campgrounds.

Which campground is closest?

The closest NPS campground is located at Spring Canyon on SR-174; turn left approximately three miles east of the town of Grand Coulee.

There are 87 campsites including RV (dump station but no hookups), tent and group camping sites. Reservations are available online at www.recreation. gov or at 877-444-6777. A fee is charged.

What else is at Spring Canyon?

Spring Canyon has a beautiful sandy beach and adjacent shaded picnic area, including grills and playground equipment. There are restrooms plus boat launching. A fee is charged.

Where can I hike in the LRNRA?

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area consists mainly of Lake Roosevelt and has very little land base.

As a result, there are few hiking trails within the park. There is a self-guided nature trail at Spring Canyon, which starts at the campground. There are also trails at Fort Spokane and Kettle Falls. When the lake level is low, you can walk many miles of interesting shoreline.

Where are the other major NPS campgrounds?

Major campgrounds are located at Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay and Kettle Falls.

Keller Ferry is about 14 miles from Spring Canyon by boat, or 15 miles overland from the Highway 2 cut-off near Wilbur. This area includes a marina, store, and free ferry across the lake to the Colville Reservation.

Fort Spokane, built in 1880 and used by the U.S. Army until 1898, became an Indian agency, boarding school and tuberculosis hospital until the late 1920s. It’s about 50 miles up the lake from Spring Canyon at the confluence of the Columbia and Spokane Rivers.

To see Fort Spokane, take SR-174 to Highway 2 east, watch for road signs and turn north at Davenport on SR-25. Besides some of the original outposts, there is a visitor center and a trail. The Fort Spokane campground is the second largest in the recreation area. Picnic area, swim beach and boat launch are also available.

Kettle Falls at the north end of the lake is enjoyed for its beautiful setting and good boating. It has a houseboat rental operation.

St. Paul’s Mission includes the original site of Fort Colvile, once the second-largest center for fur trading in the Northwest, and a rustic log missionary church. Nearby are Sherman Pass and the Kettle River, where hiking and canoeing are popular.

Parks and Viewpoints

What are the local choices for a picnic, viewing, easy hike or bike trail?

•Banks Lake Park – maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation, is located on SR-155, just 0.3 miles south of its junction with SR-174 just above North Dam Park. It overlooks Banks Lake and has picnic areas, water and restrooms.

•North Dam Park is adjacent to Banks Lake Park and offers a shady picnic area, tennis courts, softball fields, amphitheater, horseshoe pits, a covered grill, picnic areas and playground equipment for children. A novelty of the park, the Gehrke Windmill Garden is a frequent tourist stop. Built by a local resident, who made over 680 of them before his death several years ago, the windmills are constructed of castaway iron pieces and painted in bright colors. Emil Gehrke’s windmills are recognized as “folk art” treasures and have been given media coverage on television, and in National Geographic and Sunset magazines.

• Grand Coulee City Park) – located on SR-174 east in Grand Coulee. A children’splayareaandan adjacentpicnicsectionare found in this tree-shaded park. A large basalt rock in the center is typical of the natural landscape of the Grand Coulee. Restrooms and water are available.

• Douglas Park – found on SR-155 in the town of Coulee Dam. This well-manicured park, just below Grand Coulee Dam, has large evergreen trees shading its picnic tables. A paved sidewalk takes the visitor to a scenic spot along the river, providing an excellent view of the dam.

• ColePark – alsomaintainedbyCouleeDam,affords a variety of recreational activities. It is located just off SR-155, five minutes north of the Visitor Center. Do not cross the Columbia River Bridge, but continue north onto Columbia Avenue past the bridge. The park is located one block ahead on the west side of the river next to the credit union It is a pleasant area shaded by large trees and offers tennis, handball, horseshoes and basketball courts.

•Mason City Memorial Park – a Coulee Dam town park, is located in east Coulee Dam adjacent to the shopping center and post office. It contains picnic tables, grills and play equipment in a shaded setting. Mason City was the early name of a portion of the town now called Coulee Dam.

The town of Coulee Dam boasts a new park with provisions for viewing the laser show at Grand Coulee Dam. Freedom Point Plaza is adjacent to the Columbia River Bridge, across the street from the shopping area, and features live performances from time to time.

A trio of local walkers give a smile as they participate in an abnormally cold “Turkey Trot” at Steamboat Rock State Park in 2022. The park, along with many other local sites, offers great hikes.

Coulee Facts

Is Banks Lake a natural lake?

Banks Lake is a 31-mile long reservoir, which was filled by the Bureau of Reclamation in the 1950s to provide irrigation water to the Columbia Basin. The reservoir starts just east of the city of Grand Coulee and extends south to Coulee City.

What is a coulee?

As a geological term, coulee means a ravine or deep gully, usually dry, which has been cut by water. The Grand Coulee of Eastern Washington was formed over millions of years by eruptions of lava which solidified and was later swept away by massive and tumultuous Ice Age floods.

Forty to 60 million years ago, a large inland sea covered the Columbia Basin. The basin was formed as a result of uplift in the surrounding territory. Ten to 15 million years ago, volcanic eruptions began to occur and many layers of lava flowed over the basin, forming the Columbia Plateau. Today, these layers can be seen as they erode, exposing the different lava flows.

Approximately two million years ago, the Ice Age began. Several times, the ice pushed south and then retreated. Glaciers covered some of this area. It was during the last Ice Age, approximately 10,000 years ago, that an ice dam holding the waters of Lake Missoula (Montana) broke and massive floods swept through the area. Evidence suggests that one of the last floods had waters that were over 800 feet high.

It is these successive floods that carved and shaped the coulees and other landforms that are so prominent throughout the area.

What will I find in the Grand Coulee?

Besides the geological wonder of the Grand Coulee and the Banks Lake reservoir, there are some surprises hidden here, too. It is a wonderful wildlife habitat for dozens of species of birds, as well as for deer and coyote. The only natural forest in Grant County is located in a canyon of the coulee. Called Northrup Canyon, it is located across the highway from Steamboat Rock State Park and is open to hikers.

Can I camp in the Grand Coulee?

Yes, campgrounds can be found at each end of the Grand Coulee and in the very heart of the coulee.

•Coulee Playland Resort — In Electric City, it's two miles from Grand Coulee and two miles from the golf course. It features 40 sites with full hookups, 25 primitive and 10 tent sites, showers, restrooms, laundry, mini-store, dump station, playground equipment, boat launch, marine fuel, boat rental and overnight docking. Campers also will find a swimming area (no lifeguard).

• Steamboat Rock State Park — One of the most popular attractions along Banks Lake, this park is a 900-acre camp for swimming, hiking and boating. It has a sandy beach and sheltered swim area (no lifeguards), plus a bath house, a concession stand, a grassy picnic area with playground equipment, and a

Continued on page 28

The setting sun lights up the wall of the Upper Grand Coulee, which rises several hundred feet above the floor of the chasm and Banks Lake, home of Steamboat Rock State Park in the distance at center

truly unique view of Banks Lake and Steamboat Rock. It offers over 100 campsites with full hookups. Water, electricity, sewer, tables and stoves are located at each site, and 26 standard sites with table, stove, and tent pad, plus 12 boat-in campsites located on the north end of Steamboat Rock. The restrooms have hot showers. At Jones Bay and Osborne Bay are 80 primitive sites with table, stove, and a vault toilet, but no running water.

Steamboat Rock State Park is part of the state’s reservation camping system. Reservations for camping can be made online at parks.wa.gov or by calling 888-226-7688. The popular campground fills up fast and early reservations are recommended. The park is open for camping year-round.

Please Note: A permit is required for boat launching and trailer dumping at the park. A boat launching annual pass may be obtained at the park office or from the Washington State Parks Commission in Olympia, Washington.

Where can I launch a boat?

Boat launching ramps can be found at Steamboat Rock State Park, 11 miles south of Grand Coulee on SR-155, and at Coulee Playland Resort in Electric City. There are two other launching sites found about midway along the lake. One is at Barker Canyon on

the west side of the lake, and the other is on the small peninsula that juts out toward Steamboat Rock from the east side of the lake, just off SR-155. While boating is great fun on Banks Lake, navigators are cautioned that the lake can become rough very quickly. Keep an eye on the weather, and carry the necessary safety equipment—flotation devices for each passenger, a bell or whistle and a fire extinguisher.

There’s an airport, too?

Tucked away in the coulee is the Grand Coulee Dam airport. Operated by the port district, this landing field for small aircraft is located alongside the lake and accessed by car from the golf course road.

VISITOR

Boaters use the state park’s Northrup Point launch on Banks Lake.

Coulee Dam

Colvilles — Native People

How did the different bands come to be called the “Colville” Tribes?

Many different tribes fished and traded goods with each other in the area of Kettle Falls, Washington. In the 1820s, non-native people learned that the Indians excelled at trapping and stalking game for the large fur trade. For this purpose, a new fort was established at Kettle Falls by a man named Simpson.

The new post was to be called Fort Colvile, after the leading member of the committee of directors in London, Andrew Wedderburn Colvile. Andrew Colvile, who was in the rum and molasses business, never set foot in America. He had, however, advanced Simpson to his position of leadership.

Who are the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation?

For hundreds of years before explorers and settlers reached the lands of the Columbia Plateau, numerous tribes of native people occupied the territory of Eastern Washington.

Up to the mid-1850s, the ancestors of the Colville Confederated Tribes were nomadic, but life changed for them with the coming of settlers in the 1800s. Today, the Colville Confederated Tribes is made up of 12 different bands of Indians. Eleven bands are from eastern Washington state, and one band, the Nez Perce, is from northeast Oregon. The 12 bands are: Wenatchi, Entiat, Chelan, Methow, Okanogan, Nespelem, San Poil, Lakes, Moses, Palus, Nez Perce and Sweelpoo.

How did the Native Americans live?

As nomadic peoples, the different bands followed the seasons and their sources of food.

Deer and other big game plus dried salmon were the primary food of winter. Small groups lived in the mountains and hunted the abundant game.

In the spring, the native people congregated in slightly larger groups to gather camas and other roots in the lower valleys. Through the summer and fall, the Columbia River provided abundant salmon and other fish, which encouraged large concentrations of Salish-speaking Colville people.

Trading took place at Fort Colvile almost daily. From 1826 to 1887, Indians traded beaver, brown or black bear, grizzly, muskrat, fisher, fox, lynx, martin, mink, otter, raccoon, wolverine, badger and wolf. Beaver and otter were most important, but martin and bear became popular after the 1840s. As many as 20,000

Continued on page 31

People and press gather outside the Colville Tribes’ Lucy Covington Government Center in 2022 for an announcement on federal-tribal dealings.

pelts a year went out of Fort Colvile.

The word “Colville” was used by government officials, not the aboriginal Indians, who never met Andrew Colvile. As time went on, and for convenience, the term “Colville” came more and more to be used as a designation for the native people of this area. Because of Fort Colvile, all neighboring bands were eventually confederated as Colville Indians.

By executive order of President Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1872, the Colville Indian Reservation was formed and became the permanent home to the 12 bands.

St. Paul’s Mission, near Kettle Falls today, includes the original site of Fort Colvile, once the second largest center for fur trading in the Northwest, and a rustic log missionary church. Nearby is the Kettle Falls Historical Center Building, which features native American crafts, history and a retail shop. The exhibit is open weekends in May, and Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day.

When were the boundaries of the Colville reservation established?

The original reservation was in existence for less than three months of 1872 when other executive orders and agreements began to take portions of the

reservation for public domain. Over a 10-year period, the Colville Indian Reservation was reduced to its present size, less than half the original.

How big is the reservation?

The Colville Indian reservation is 2,300 square miles — about 1.4 million acres. It is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.

How many Colvilles are there today?

More than 9,000 people are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

How is the reservation governed today?

Today’s Colvilles, an enterprising and progressive community of people, are a sovereign nation governed by their own administrative and judicial branches within the boundaries of the reservation. Leading the tribal membership is a 14-member business council, elected from the four reservation districts of Omak, Nespelem, Keller and Inchelium.

Where is the tribal government located?

Tribal headquarters are located on the Colville Indian Agency campus near the town of Nespelem.

What are some of the cultural/religious practices on the reservation?

Proud of their heritage, the Indian culture and religions are very much alive and active on the Colville reservation. There are the Seven Drums and the Indian Shaker religions as well as the Indian Winter Chinook Dances, the annual spring thanksgiving Root Feasts, and the memorial giveaways in honor of the deceased

Today, many of the young and elder tribal members continue to celebrate seasonal events such as the annual Sunflower Festival at the Paschal Sherman Indian School in Omak, the July 4th Powwow Celebration at Nespelem, the powwow at the Omak Stampede in August and other traditional gatherings. At these events, and at a number of locations on the reservation, members display traditional bead and buckskin items often done in designs handed down for generations.

In Nespelem, the powwow takes place in the Tribe’s “Circle,” a traditional gathering place. Indians arrive from reservations in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon to join in the festivities. Authentic ceremonial dress, stick games, dozens of teepees and a longestablished rodeo make the celebration memorable. This Annual Fourth of July Celebration lasts for 10 days. The public is invited to attend the powwows and other tribal-sponsored activities,

Is there a tribal museum?

The Colville Tribal Museum in Coulee Dam will be open in 2023, Wednesday through Saturday from May 31 through Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The museum first opened in 1995, and is located in Coulee Dam at 512 Mead Way. During 2009, the exhibit gallery was closed for renovation. In March 2011, the museum became a reality for the 12 bands of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation, representing the Okanogan, Nespelem, Sanpoil, Chief Joseph Band of the Nez Perce, Chelan, Wenatchi, Entiat, Methow, Lakes, Colville, Palus and Moses peoples.

What is sold in the gift shop?

The Museum Gift Shop features such items as traditional clothing, beaded items, books, silver and turquoise jewelry, and Pendleton Woolen Mills items, such as bags, cups and coats and blankets.

The inventory includes tribal members’ artwork, beaded items, and items with the tribal seal. The

museum merchandise is always changing to include new items and artwork. The public is invited to the free museum. Donations are accepted.

What can visitors see and do on the reservation?

While traveling through the Colville Reservation, visitors are invited to visit the tribal headquarters near Nespelem or the other reservation communities. Just another two miles north, in the town of Nespelem, is a memorial to Chief Joseph who was sent to the reservation in 1884 with 150 of his band of Nez Perce Indians. Joseph, famous for his intelligence and peacekeeping efforts, is best remembered for the heroic march by his people in the late 1800s in an effort to resist the gradual and painful takeover of Indian land by non-Indians.

From Nespelem, take Cache Creek Road over a quiet and picturesque mountain pass to Keller on the San Poil arm of Lake Roosevelt. There is a free ferry across Lake Roosevelt here, which has been in operation since 1948. Farther east, over another forested mountain pass, is the scenic community of Inchelium. If traveling west, continue from Nespelem on Highway 155 over beautiful Disautel Pass to Omak in the sunny

Okanogan Valley.

There are 18 wellstocked lakes on the reservation with limited fishing as well as hunting for non-members. Information about these sporting activities is available from the Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department in Nespelem, (509) 634-2110.

The Colville Tribal Museum in Coulee Dam is just east of Harvest Foods.

Laser Show entertains and informs

How long is the laser show?

The “One River, Many Voices” laser light show lasts approximately 30 minutes, during which time colorful images created by the lasers dance back and forth across the huge surface of the dam.

Where can I view the show?

The best locations are the seating area at the Visitor Center and the park below the Visitor Center. These areas provide an outdoor sound system.

The town of Coulee Dam has a park — terraced and grassy for viewing the laser show — adjacent to the east end of the Columbia River bridge.

monly used now that the tradition of using capital letters for an acronym has been dropped.

How are the lasers used at Grand Coulee Dam?

2023 Laser Light Show Times

May 26 to July 31 at 10 p.m.

Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 at 9:30 p.m.

Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 at 8:30 p.m. Start times subject to change

Other viewing spots: from Douglas Park in Coulee Dam; from Crown Point Vista atop the granite cliffs above Lake Rufus Woods, with access from SR-174 towards Bridgeport.

The USBR broadcasts the audio portion of the laser light show nightly at 90.1 FM.

What is a laser?

Lasers are intense beams of light commonly used in medicine and science, but they've also found a niche as a high-tech, fast-moving form of entertainment. They are controlled by computers which, at Grand Coulee Dam, are in the Visitor Center.

Although a single dot of light, lasers can trace an image so rapidly it appears as a solid figure to the human eye.

The term “laser” is actually an acronym for Light Amplifi cation by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is so com-

As one of the largest entertainment laser projection systems in the world, and certainly the largest outdoor laser show in North America, the lasers at Grand Coulee Dam tell the story of the Columbia River and how its power was harnessed to provide multiple benefits to mankind, including electrical power, irrigation for farming, and exciting recreational opportunities. As a result of the open process of scripting the new show in 2014, viewers will also understand the costs of building the dam — cost to wildlife,and to native peoples whose way of life was dependent on that wildlife, in particular, the salmon that no longer could continue upstream to spawn.

How much did the lasers cost?

With the original equipment in use since 1989, the Bureau of Reclamation commissioned a new show and new equipment. The equipment began operation in May of 2013, but projecting the new show began in May 2014. Lumalaser, of Eugene, Oregon, bid the project at $1.6 million.

How big are the laser images?

Pictures are beamed at the awesome height of nearly 300 feet.

How far do the lasers project?

The laser lights are beamed between 2,000 and 4,000 feet to the surface of the dam.

A television crew from the Republic of Georgia, where hydropower dams are gaining interest and controversy as an option in the fight against climate change, videos a segment in front of the Laser Light Show in 2022.

Lake Chelan Valley

VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2023-2024

Lake Chelan Valley

The Lake Chelan Valley has long been a destination known for the cool, refreshing lake, warm summers and crisp winter days. Pleasure-seekers visit year-round to experience the friendly communities and abundant opportunities for recreation, especially during the summer, when the lake is at “full pool” and conditions are ideal for playing in the sun and water.

The Lake Chelan Valley has long been a destination known for the cool, refreshing lake, warm summers and crisp winter days. Pleasure-seekers visit year-round to experience the friendly communities and abundant opportunities for recreation, especially during the summer, when the lake is at “full pool” and conditions are ideal for playing in the sun and water.

longer layover allows time to rent a bicycle and take your own tour, with a stop at the bakery, and a visit to Historic Buckner Orchard, or hike one of the trails for a grand view overlooking Lake Chelan and the Stehekin River.

Hikers, backpackers and campers flock to the idyllic valley, which is surrounded by parts of North Cascades National Park, two national wilderness areas and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

Hikers, backpackers and campers flock to the idyllic valley, which is surrounded by parts of North Cascades National Park, two national wilderness areas and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

In the resort community of Chelan, visitors will find lodging options and dining choices to fit every budget and palate. Chelan has been the choice for family vacations for generations, many returning to the same hotels year after year. Water sports abound from jet-skiing and pleasure boating to fishing and splashing around at one of the parks or resorts along the water’s edge. Another great way to enjoy a refreshing splash is at Slidewaters Waterpark, with a variety of slides, many designed for adults to ride with small children, a Lazy River, Thunder Rapids tube slide where you can group with friends, and even side-by-side racing, with a concession stand and more!

Located near the center of Washington state, about 150 miles from Seattle or Spokane, Lake Chelan is the deepest gorge in North America. Just over 50 miles long, the lake is fed by the Stehekin River at its head, and over 27 glaciers of the Cascade range. At its deepest point the lake is 1486 feet deep, which puts the bottom 386 feet below sea level; this depth occurs in the narrowest area of the lake, where it is less than a mile wide.

Lakeside Park

In the resort community of Chelan, visitors will find lodging options and dining choices to fit every budget and palate. Chelan has been the choice for family vacations for generations, many returning to the same hotels year after year. Water sports abound from jet-skiing and pleasure boating to fishing and splashing around at one of the parks or resorts along the water’s edge. Another great way to enjoy a refreshing splash is at Slidewaters Waterpark, with a variety of slides, many designed for adults to ride with small children, a Lazy River, Thunder Rapids tube slide where you can group with friends, and even side-by-side racing, with a concession stand and more!

Lake Chelan, but Dry, Roses, Antilon, and Wapato Lakes (great fishing locations) as well.

The warm summer days and crisp, cool evenings create perfect growing conditions for fruit. Chelan’s apples have been known throughout the country since the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. In recent years, vineyards have replaced some apple orchards, and the Lake Chelan AVA was established to reflect the unique qualities of the wine grapes grown in the valley.

Seven miles from Chelan is the village of Manson, around which the majority of wineries and tasting rooms in the valley can be found. Downtown Manson sits on the edge of the lake, and a scenic drive through the vineyards and orchards surrounding the town offers views of not only Lake Chelan, but Dry, Roses, Antilon, and Wapato Lakes (great fishing locations) as well.

At the head of Lake Chelan is the remote community of Stehekin, accessible only by float plane or passenger ferry. The Lady of the Lake II and the Lady Express offer daily service to Stehekin in the summer, and

Seven miles from Chelan is the village of Manson, around which the majority of wineries and tasting rooms in the valley can be found. Downtown Manson sits on the edge of the lake, and a scenic drive through the vineyards and orchards surrounding the town offers views of not only

For information about the Lake Chelan Boat Company and their fleet of passenger ferries and the scenic tour, call (509) 682-4584 or visit www.ladyofthelake.com.

At the head of Lake Chelan is the remote community of Stehekin, accessible only by helicopter, hiking, or passenger ferry. The Lady of the Lake, the Lady Express and the Liberty offer daily service to Stehekin in the summer, and regular scheduled service all year. Choose a one-hour through six-hour layover in Stehekin, and enjoy the serenity of this quiet mountain valley with a visit to the small shops at the landing,

Continued on age 35

this quiet mountain valley with a visit to

Slidewaters Waterpark

Stehekin Landing

or take the shuttle to view 312’ Rainbow Falls and Stehekin’s One-Room Schoolhouse. During your layover, enjoy lunch at the Bakery or North Cascades Lodge. The longer layover allows time to rent electric or nonelectric bikes; or CanAM to take your own tour, with a stop at the bakery, and a visit to Historic Buckner Orchard, or hike one of the trails for a grand view overlooking Lake Chelan and the Stehekin River.

Located near the center of Washington state, about 150 miles from Seattle or Spokane, Lake Chelan is the deepest gorge in North America. Just over 50 miles long, the lake is fed by the Stehekin River at its head, and over 27 glaciers of the Cascade range. At its deepest point the lake is 1486 feet deep, which puts the bottom 386 feet below sea level; this depth occurs in the narrowest area of the lake, where it is less than a mile wide.

The warm summer days and crisp, cool evenings create perfect growing conditions for fruit. Chelan’s apples have been known throughout the country since the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. In recent years, vineyards have replaced some apple orchards, and the Lake Chelan AVA was established to reflect the unique qualities of the wine grapes grown in the valley.

For information about the Lake Chelan Boat Company and their fleet of passenger ferries and the scenic tour, call (509) 682-4584 or visit www.ladyofthelake.com.

Wilbur, a place to enjoy the outdoor

If it‘s outdoor recreation you’re after, Wilbur is the place to be!

Visitors are always welcome to stop by the semiprivate Big Bend Golf and Country Club at the west end of town to enjoy a round or two on the challenging nine-hole golf course.

The course features well-maintained greens on a relatively level course with a few sand traps. Rental clubs and carts are available and lessons can be provided for a novice golfer. The clubhouse gives visitors a place to relax and enjoy a cool drink or a bite to eat.

Emerson Park, at the east end of town, belongs to the school district, but is available for public use. You can enjoy a jog around the track, a fast-paced game of tennis, or bring a group of family or friends for a game of baseball or touch football.

Across from the creek is the public swimming pool. The Wilbur pool is open throughout the summer months and, for a small fee, local residents and visitors can take advantage of the opportunity for a refreshing swim. The west end features a diving board, and a wading pool for younger children is available at the east end of the facility.

A couple of blocks to the west of the pool, you can find an outdoor rink for in-line or roller skating. Hockey has become a year-round activity at this site.

Extensive recreational opportunities are available within a short distance of town. Hunting, fishing, boating, camping and water skiing are among the most popular of these activities.

If you decide to stay around for a few days at one of the town’s RV parks or motels, be sure to take advantage of the Hesseltine Public Library, located at city hall, a block north of Highway 2 on Division Street. More than 1,000 books are just waiting to be read and enjoyed.

The Big Bend Historical Society Museum, located

in a former church building a block north of Sandy’s Thrift, allows the visitor to step back into Wilbur’s past. Among the many items on display is the gun taken from the hand of Wilbur’s founding father, Samuel Wilbur Condon, after he was killed in a shootout over a woman in January 1895.

Tina M. Craig Real Estate Broker Lake Roosevelt Area Specialist

Center of the Okanogan Valley

Welcome to Okanogan County

You have just discovered Washington State’s best-kept secret — Okanogan.

Okanogan is the heart of the scenic, historic, and fruitful Okanogan Valley. Located in north central Washington, 50 miles from the Canadian border, Okanogan residents enjoy a quality of life characterized by extraordinary scenic beauty, low taxes, recreation, low cost of living and four distinct seasons each year.

The Okanogan Valley is one of the few remaining locations where individual boldness and enterprise are rewarded, and where past, present and future are viewed with enthusiasm and promise.

Okanogan is a Salish Indian word meaning “Rendezvous.” Sometimes called “The Late Frontier,” the Okanogan Valley saw habitation by Native Americans for thousands of years, and — belatedly, compared to other regions of the country — saw a succession of explorers, prospectors, miners, trappers, cattlemen, settlers, loggers, farmers, missionaries, and orchardists, providing in every respect a colorful history that carries forward to the present day.

The history of the region is ably depicted in the acclaimed Okanogan County Historical Museum in Okanogan.

Part of that history now includes a replica of the old Okanogan fire department building in Legion Park.

It’s an exact replica of the original fire station building. It is used as a fire department museum, as well as a research center for the Okanogan County Historical Society and the Okanogan County Genealogical Society.

A refurbished, early model fire truck is displayed, along with other interesting items.

The scenic Okanogan River winds its way through the center of the city. Each year, thousands of Canada geese and other waterfowl migrate throughout the Okanogan Valley, following the river.

Visitors can hike, camp, fish, hunt, swim, boat, ski, snowmobile, golf, climb, sightsee, as well as enjoy clean air, clean water and all the amenities of an urban locale with a hometown feeling.

Omak

The busy hub of the Okanogan features yearround entertainment for tourists from all walks of life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation full of camping and recreation activities or you want to attend a play, go to a rodeo or play some softball, you can do it all in Omak.

Visiting Omak is like taking some good medicine. At least that’s what some of the Indians thought when they traveled across the vastness of what is now called Okanogan County.

The center of the county is Omak, which means “good medicine,” because of its dry, healthful climate. Warm summers and mild winters lead to an average of over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Located in the fertile Okanogan River Valley near the pristine Pasayten National Wilderness, this lumber town is the largest in the north central part of the state and is known for its production of apples and its many orchards.

Visitors are encouraged to make the Tourist Information Center their first stop. A friendly staff will provide updated information for all areas of Okanogan County, the state of Washington and neighboring British Columbia, including available tourist attractions, facilities and services.

The modern stadium and arena in Omak is a great spot for a rodeo and famous “stampede” race.

Hiking the Coulee

The Grand Coulee area offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities for those who love trekking the great outdoors. From peaceful forest to sage deserts to sandy beaches and rocky terrain, the area has a little bit of everything.

Steamboat Rock is a bit steep and difficult to ascend at first, but once on top the panoramic view is breathtaking. You’ll have views of the coulees, Banks Lake, Okanogan National Forest, and the Cascades far in the distance. There are approximately 640 acres on top of the 800-foottall mesa to explore.

In Northrup Canyon, hikers will find thousands of acres of enchanting forest, bald eagles, and an early pioneer homestead.

Crescent Bay, Crescent Lake, and Eden Harbor have beaches to swim, fish, or explore.

Banks Lake also has Jones Bay and Osborne Bay, which are pleasant to camp at or explore.

The Candy Point Trail in Coulee Dam ascends stone steps to both Candy Point and Crown Point, offering some of the best views of the dam, the Columbia River, and the town of Coulee Dam.

The Downriver Trail is a nice, gravel trail that stretches along the Columbia River for 6 miles from near the dam to Spirit Ridge, with many access points and parking areas along the trail.It’s a great place to watch the river flow.

The Coulee Dam historical walk stretches from Freedom Point to across the bridge, where there are many informative signs detailing the construction of the dam. From there, head to the right toward the small bridge where a long sidewalk leads up the hill towards city hall, and footbridges and trails to the side lead to Cole Park. A few cautions: Do not wander too near the edge of the coulee walls. Basalt is not as stable as you may think, so stand a respectable distance from the edge.

Be aware that this is rattlesnake country, and while they are generally not lethal, they should be avoided. You will find them (or hear them) most often during the summer months. While not particularly aggressive, they have been known to bite. If bitten, seek medical help. Finally, if you plan to hike an hour or more, carry plenty of water to quench your thirst and prevent leg cramps. Read more about these hikes and more on our website at www.gcdvisitor.com under the “Hikes” section.

Beautiful views on the Candy Point Trail behind City Hall in Coulee Dam.

Northrup Canyon

In Northrup Canyon hikers will find 3,120 acres of forested ravines tucked away between coulee walls. Home to Grant County’s only official forest, Northrup Canyon is located in Steamboat Rock State Park across the highway from Banks Lake, and offers hikers an immersive nature experience that includes majestic cliffs and many types of trees and birds, including bald eagles who nest in the area.

From the trailhead/parking area, where a Discover Pass is required to park, the trail splits in two directions. Here we will focus on the most popular hike, which is to the left, and will lead through forest and meadows to a homestead, and on from there to Northrup Lake.

The trail is rather easy to navigate all the way to the homestead, largely flat and never steep, and winds through trees and fields, past old structures and ancient cliffs carved by glaciers.

The homestead was home to the Northrup family, with whom there is a rich pioneer history which you can read a bit about at the trailhead kiosk. Once you arrive at the homestead, you can choose to continue to the left past the old chicken coop on the trail to the lake, or turn around and go back.

The homestead is roughly halfway between the parking lot and the lake, and most people choose to turn around at the homestead. From the parking area to the homestead and back is a 3.5-mile trek.

If you go onward to the lake you will wind through more

forest, up a couple of quite steep, difficult parts, and eventually come to Northrup Lake. The lake is small, and peaceful with no big beaches, but has a couple of openings where someone could fish or relax. From the parking area to the lake and back is about 6.5 miles round trip.

Directions: From Grand Coulee, head south on State SR-155 about 7 miles. Turn left onto Northrup Canyon Road.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Approximate time: 2-4 hours

Length: 3.5-6.5 miles round trip

Elevation gain: 450 feet, from 1,800 to 2,250 feet above sea level

A grove of quaking aspen grows along the trail up Northrup Canyon, at the top of which lies a small, hidden lake.

The Northrup Canyon homestead, approximately 1.75 miles from the trailhead.

Is there local golfing?

Yes, the public may golf at Banks Lake Golf and Golf Course, located approximately 1.5 miles west of Electric City and about five miles from Grand Coulee Dam on SR-155.

The 18-hole course is carved out of the natural slope of the coulee landscape and provides golfers a chance to hike through the quiet countryside while playing an unusually wideopen course.

Golfing equipment can be rented at the clubhouse from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., early spring to late fall. Food and drinks are also sold at the clubhouse.

GOLF COURSE GOLF COURSE