Grand Coulee Dam Area Visitors’ Guide 2015-2016
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Table of Contents
Basic Questions................................................................. 4-6 Grand Coulee Dam Facts................................8-10, 14-16 Where Can I Camp.............................................................17 Are the Fish Biting?..................................................... 18-20 Monthly Fishing Guide.............................................. 19-20 Hunting the Coulee.................................................... 20-21 Lake Roosevelt Facts.................................................. 22-24 Parks or Viewpoints...........................................................26
“Coulee” Facts............................................................... 27-28 Colville/Native People............................................... 32-34 Chelan............................................................................. 35-36 Laser Show Facts.................................................................47 Welcome to Wilbur............................................................38 Welcome to Okanogan County.............................. 39-42 Ad Index.......................................................................... 45-46
Index
Banks Lake.............................. 4-6,10,14-16,20-25,24-25,28-30 Lake Roosevelt.................................................14,20-21,22-24,28 Camping/Accomodations ........7-8,17,26-27,37,39,41,43,47,51 Map of Area...............................................................................29-31 Casinos.................................................................................................5 Municipal Parks .................................................................26-28,41 Crown Point Vista................................................................... 4,6,26 Museums ...................................................................................21-23 Fishing .......................................................................................18-20 National Park Service.................................................17-19,23-24 Fruit Stand....................................................................................... 7,6 Native Americans - History..................................................32-34 Grand Coulee Dam.................... 3-4,6,8-10,16,18,23,26,30-31 Steamboat Rock State Park....................................4-5, 19-20,28 Golfing.........................................................................................43-44 Spring Canyon Campground/Park............. 4,5,17, 19-20, 23,28 Hiking.....................................................................5,14,17,23,28-30 Swimming...........................................................5, 17-18, 22-23,2-28 Hunting, Wildlife......................................................................18-21 Laser Lights at Grand Coulee Dam.......................................4,47
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About the Cover The contrast in size between the people at the top of the dam and those in the foreground below gives a sense of the massive size of the North America's largest dam, which holds back a 3 trillion-gallon lake 150 miles long and is the highest capacity electrical powerplant on the continent. The people on top are on a tour stop, while those below are in the park below the Visitor Center, enjoying what in most years is a rare event, a spill of water over the dam, necessitated by too much water coming down the Columbia River.
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in Coulee Dam next to the Casino
STORE HOURS 6 A.M. - 10 P.M. MONDAY-FRIDAY 7 A.M. - 10 A.M. SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Fresh Donuts and Maple Bars Sandwiches ~ Lattes
We now have Beer, Wine & Spirits
Featuring “CHAMPS” Chicken Best in the Area
Premium Angus Beef
Garden Fresh Produce and complete line of groceries. USDA Choice Meats
“Welcome to Our Town”
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Activists in dugout canoes on a trip up the Columbia River, hoping to raise support for restoring salmon runs past Grand Coulee Dam, get a little too close for their own safety. Police informed them it was illegal, and dangerous. Salmon migrations upriver were stopped when the dam was built, but groups are advocating the issue be discussed during new treaty negotiations between the United States and Canada.
WIRELESS INTERNET
BAR & GRILLE
We Also Cater!
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Banquet Room & Lounge “We Hand Cut & Trim Our Own Steaks” Try The Loal Favorite Chicken and Pork-Fried Steaks & Chicken-Fried Chicken
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113 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee • pepperjacks.webs.com/ 3
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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 Colum-bia 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?
The laser show is held nightly at Grand Coulee Dam as follows for 2015: May 23 to July 31 at 10:00 p.m. Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 at 8:30 p.m. The show is about 28 minutes in length. There is no admissionfee.Call509-633-9265formoreinformation.
Where can I view this show?
• 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. • The town of Coulee Dam has constructed a new park along Roosevelt Drive starting at the east end of the Columbia River bridge. The park has a terraced,grassy area for viewing the Laser Light Show. • Other view spots:from Douglas Park in Coulee Dam, fromCrownPointatopthegranitecliffsandaboveLake RufusWoods — access from SR174 toward Bridgeport. • The USBR broadcasts the audio portion of the Laser Light Show nightly at 90.1 FM.
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How do I take a tour of Grand Coulee Dam?
At the U.S.Bureau of Reclamation’s Visitor Center on SR155 just north of Coulee Dam, tours are offered. The VC offers movies about the dam, informational displays, and guides can answer questions.You can get the latest information there,or call 509-633-9265.
Where are public restrooms? • VC and park below. • North Dam Park, SR155, west of Grand Coulee. • Grand Coulee City Hall, SR155, Grand Coulee. • Grand Coulee City Park, SR174. • Etheta Anderson Memorial Library, Grand Coulee. • Mason City Memorial Park, Coulee Dam, across street from shopping center. • Spring Canyon, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, SR174 east. • Steamboat Rock State Park, SR155 eight miles south of Electric City. • Coulee Playland, SR155, Electric City. • Coulee Dam Town Hall, 300 Lincoln, Coulee Dam.
Where can I find overnight accommodations? • AREA MOTELS: Coulee Dam — Columbia River Inn, 10 Lincoln Avenue, 509-633-2100, 800-633-6421. Grand Coulee - Grand Coulee Center Lodge, 404 Spokane Way,509-633-2860,866-633-2860; TrailWest, 108 Spokane Way, 509-633-3155, 866-633-8157. Electric City - Sunbanks Lake Resort, 57662 SR155 N, 509-633-3786, 888-822-7195; • 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 SR174, 509-633-9188; Coulee Playland Resort on Banks Lake in Electric City, 509-633-2671; Grand Coulee RV Park, SR174 toward Bridgeport, 509-633-0750; Lakeview Terrace Mobile Park,2.4 miles east of Grand Coulee on SR174,509-6332169;King’s Court,SR174 toward Wilbur,509-633-3655.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Where can I eat? Family Style
Fusion Cafe & Espresso, Electric City Melody Restaurant, across the bridge Coulee Dam Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grille, 113 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee R&A Cafe, 514 Birch St., Coulee Dam Sunbanks, on Banks Lake
Where can I launch a boat?
Fast Foods
Public launches on Banks Lake are at: Coulee Playland, Jones Bay, Northrup Point and Steamboat Rock State Park. On Lake Roosevelt, local launch ramps at 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 ( L a k e R u f u s Wo o d s ) c a n b e a c c e s s e d at Seaton's Grove nor th of Elmer City.
Specialty
Where can I buy postcards, gifts, souvenirs?
Jack's 4 Corners, Grand Coulee Hometown Pizza, Highway 155, Grand Coulee Electric City Bar & Grill, Electric City MJ's Bistro, Electric City Tropical Pig, Electric City Siam Palace, Main St., Grand Coulee
Many area retailers carry postcards, as do motels, restaurants and area concessionaires. • In Coulee Dam: Colville Tribal Museum Harvest Foods & Variety • In Grand Coulee: • Steamboat Rock State Park, Chamber of Commerce SR155, eight miles south of Jack's Four-Corners, Sp. Cny. Exxon Electric City in the Grand Coulee. • In Electric City: • Spring Canyon, SR174 east toward Coulee Playland Resort Spokane. H&H Grocery • Grand Coulee Dam’s Visitor Center Sunbanks Lake Resort Pioneer Museum Park, below dam; and Roosevelt • Outer Area: Memorial Park, look for the A picnic below the dam. Shaw's Fruit & Produce bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt off Trading Post, Nespelem SR155 near the top of the dam. Grant County Historical Museum, • Municipal parks are located at: North Dam Park, Ephrata SR155, Grand Coulee (covered eating area); Grand Coulee City Park, SR174 east toward Spokane; Douglas Park, SR155, Coulee Dam; Cole Park, just off SR155 on Columbia Avenue (do not cross Columbia River Bridge); Mason City Memorial Park, across • Colville Confederated Tribes Casino, 516 Birch, street from Coulee Dam shopping center; National Coulee Dam; Park Service headquarters, Crest Drive, Coulee Dam. • Banks Lake Golf and Country Club, public golf, SR155 west of Electric City, 7 a.m. - dark; • Saturday Market at North Dam Park. • Hiking trails at Candy Point; Northrup Canyon; Banks Lake in the Grand Coulee, Lake Roosevelt Steamboat Rock; down river below Grand Coulee behind Grand Coulee Dam, and Lake Rufus Woods Dam; Bunchgrass Prairie Nature Trail at Spring below Grand Coulee Dam. All three are yearCanyon; a historic walk through old Coulee Dam; round fisheries.Fishing is also permitted on the • Houseboat, skiing and fishing boat rentals on Lake Colville Indian Reservation on McGinnis Lake and Roosevelt; Buffalo Lake. • Boating on Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt and Rufus FISHING REGULATIONS KEEP CHANGING. Woods Lake;Small boat,party boat and peddle boats PLEASE REFER TO THE CURRENT STATE rentals at Coulee Playland, Electric City; AND TRIBAL FISHING REGULATIONS • Swimming at Steamboat Rock State Park and FOR MORE INFORMATION. Coulee Playland on Banks Lake;and at Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt; 5
Where can I have a picnic?
What else is there to do besides tour the dam?
Where can I fish?
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Cell phones and digital cameras in the crowd attempt to capture the splendor of fireworks off the top of Grand Coulee Dam, presented every year on the Fourth of July during the Festival of America in the park below the Visitor Center. The fireworks are held right after the laser light show.
• Canoeing with a National Park Service ranger on Crescent Lake, below the city of Grand Coulee. Dates are subject to change. Call 509-754-7886 for info. Check with a ranger for times, which change as the summer progresses. Not guaranteed each summer. • Gehrke’s Windmills, North Dam Park, Grand Coulee; • Panoramic view of Grand Coulee Dam, at Crown Point. 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.
Where are the grocery stores/ mini marts? • Electric City — H&H Grocery, Coulee Playland and Sunbanks Lake Resort. • Grand Coulee — 4 Corner's where SR 174/155 meet; Spring Canyon on Grand Coulee Ave.,
Safeway on SR 174.; Coulee Gas, on the Midway. • Coulee Dam — Harvest Foods & Variety, Coulee Dam Shopping Center, Coulee View, 2 Okanogan Ave., • Elmer City - Shaw's Fruit & Produce, SR 155. • Outer Area — Trading Post, SR155, Nespelem.
Where are holding tanks dumped? At Coulee Playland, Electric City; Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake; Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt; and at Coulee Dam's station on Stevens Street, one block off Columbia, near Mini Mart.
Where can I get propane? King’s Court RV Park,Grand Coulee RV Park and Coulee Playland, Electric City.
Continued on page 15 6
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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Call 631-3007 For Take Outs
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Open Lunch & Dinner 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday
Melody Restaurant
633-8113 Across bridge in Coulee Dam
R&A CAFE
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3533A Hwy 155, Coulee Dam
Open 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mon. thru Sat.
“The best dam food in town!”
514 Birch St. Coulee Dam. Next to the Coulee House, across from the casino. (509) 633-2233 (CAFE)
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6.5 Miles North of Coulee Dam
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily • Open May thru November
(509) 633-0133 • www.shawsfruit.com
Grand Coulee RV PARK
(509) 633-0750 • (866) 633-0750 www.grandcouleedam.com/gcrv
• Showers & Restrooms • Resident Laundry Facilities • Fiber-Optic Internet Hookups Competitive Rates • Groups & Reservations Welcome • BIG RIG FRIENDLY
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Visitors on a tour bus stop on top Grand Coulee Dam to get photos from the top of the massive spillway and roiling river below. Some people find it hard to grasp the size of the dam, often thinking it’s smaller than it is. A careful peek over the edge is called for, and more than a few selfies are taken with smartphones.
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 Grand Coulee 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 needed only water to flourish, the method for providing that water caused much controversy. A Spokane group insisted upon a 1348
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 change forever 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.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Hidden feature
You can't see this now beneath the river. This “tailrace” at the bottom of the spillway now absorbs the impact of the falling waters, without which the river water would find its own way, with destructive effects on the river channel. This trough measures 30 feet deep, 90 feet wide and 1650 feet long.
How many dams are on the Columbia River?
How big is Grand Coulee Dam?
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.
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 the base. There is enough concrete in the dam to build two standard six-foot wide sidewalks around the world at the equator.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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.
How is the electricity produced? Electricity is generated by unseen torrents of water
rushing through the turbines within the dam’s hydro-electric plants. There are three powerhouses at Grand Coulee Dam with a total rated capacity of 6,809 megawatts, making this dam the largest hydro-electric producer in the United States.
How many acres does Grand Coulee Dam help irrigate? Water supplied by Grand Coulee Dam irrigates more than 600,000 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 PumpGenerator 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.
Siam Palace
An explosion of flavor!
"For Discriminating Tastes"
Chinese, Thai & American Family Dining
Paninis • Burgers • Salads Espresso • Desserts
Mon. - Thurs.11 a.m. - 8 p.m. / Fr. 11-6 / Sat & Sun. Closed 302 Coulee Blvd., Electric City
509.633.3525
Foisy & Kennedy, Inc.
REALTY, INC.
Merle Kennedy, Broker
(509) 633-2921
213 Main St., Grand Coulee
Foisy & Kennedy
Dine in or Take Out Banquet Room Available
INSURANCE
Listings available on our website: www.foisykennedy.com
Jerry Kennedy, CIC
309 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee
(509) 633-0410 • (877) 613-4192 Laurie Hilton, agent Patti Tufts, broker Lindi Haag, agent
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
HOMETOWN PIZZA Dine In Take Out H Dreyer’s Hard Ice Cream H Gourmet Hot Dogs H Soup & Sandwiches H Salads H Burgers H Hot Pretzels H Tacos & Nachos H Take & Bake or HOT Pizza & Much More
on Highway 155 by the Skydeck Motel in Electric City
Daily Specials
Spaghetti - Sandwiches - Cold Beer & Wine
on the Bridgeport Highway Near 4 Corners Grand Coulee
509.633.3393
509.633.6577 (mjss)
Ever wonder why so many people drive Ford Cars & Trucks?
Come in for a test drive on the Ford of your choice.
509.633.2839
37 West Coulee Blvd., Electric City, WA e-mail - birdsbodyshop@qwestoffice.net
JESS FORD on the Midway, Grand Coulee
(509) 633-0110 • www.jessford.com
Three Convenient Locations To Serve You!
4 Corners Coulee View Food & Fuel
Spring Canyon
Where SR 174/155 meet Food Market • Mechanical Get Ur Done Oil Change Car Wash
2 mi. west of Spring Canyon
Grand Coulee
2 Okanogan Ave. Coulee Dam
311 Grand Coulee Ave. Grand Coulee
633-2472
633-2951
633-3073 11
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
A full moon rises behind the bridge and the spillway gates on top of Grand Coulee Dam.
“Friendliest Grocery on Banks Lake” Convenient RV & Trailer Parking
Video Rentals ~ ATM
Steaks - Seafood - Fresh Produce
Bruce Cheadle
(509) 633-0280 308 Spokane Way Grand Coulee
Camping & Fishing Supplies
Electric City (509) 633-2687 www.grandcouleedam.com/h&h
We are celebrating 30 Years!
TREE LINED LAKESIDE PARK
Tenting, Full Hook-ups 2 miles to Golf Course and 2 miles from Grand Coulee Dam
LARGE SELECTION TACKLE/RODS, REELS MARINE/RV/CAMPING SUPPLIES BANKS LAKE APPAREL RENT: PONTOON BOATS, FISH BOATS, PEDAL BOATS, STAND UP PADDLE BOARD (SUP) - the SUP can be easily transported to other lakes - Lake Roosevelt, Crescent Bay, south side of Osborn Bay.
YURT — SLEEPS 5 Tribal & State Game Licenses www.couleeplayland.com
Reservations recommended but not required
401 Coulee Blvd. E. (509) 633-2671 Box 457, Electric City, WA 99123 12
Auto • Home • Life • Health
State Farm Insurance Companies • Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois
SOLAR-POWERED VACATIONS ——————————— in ———————————
Grant County, Washington “The angler forgets most of the fish he catches, but he does not forget the streams and lakes in which they are caught.” ~ Charles K. Fox
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Service That’s Dependable
Tires for All Seasons and All Reasons
• Brakes
(800) 633-6421
www.columbiariverinn.com info@columbiariverinn.com
• Alignments • Batteries • Shocks • Lube
• Two Diamond AAA Rated Motel • Located next to Grand Coulee Dam & it's Laser Light Show (www.grandcouleedam.com)
• In Room: Refrigerator, Microwave, Coffee Maker, Fiber Optic Internet connection • Iron & Board • Outdoor Pool/Hot Tub
• Fitness Center with Sauna • Business Center/ Conference Room • Corporate and Government Rates
• FEMA Hotel/Motel Master List Lodging
Service
Corner of Federal & Spokane Way, Grand Coulee
509-633-3090
10 Lincoln St., Coulee Dam, WA 99116 Fax: (509) 633-2100
Know before you go See grantpud.org for Columbia River recreation updates in Grant County
766-2505
|
800-422-3199
|
grantpud.org
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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.
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?
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 acre-feet of water.
How is Lake Roosevelt managed for public recreation?
The Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam offers great interactive and fun displays, plus knowledgeable guides to help you learn about the dam and its role in our past and present.
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
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This 50-minute guided tour is free of charge and available only on a firstcome, first-served basis. The tour begins at the tour building where you will board a van to 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. Accessible tours are available with advanced notice by calling (509) 6339265.
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. Onsite storage for personal belongings is not available. Be sure to lock your car. A federally armed security officer will escort all public tours. Tour times: • April 1 - May 22: 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. • May 23 - September 7: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. • September 8October 31: 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. Tour times are subject to change without notice. Please call the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center at (509) 633-9265 for the latest information.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
A tour bus stops to let out passengers on a stop on the top of Grand Coulee Dam. Such stops are a scheduled part of each tour. Get to the tour stop on the east side of the dam early; seating is limited.
Taking the tour The Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam is full of interactive,engaging exhibits,and is the best place to get information. But guided tours of the dam actually start across the river, where you’ll board a bus or van staffed with a knowledgeable guide to take you first to the John W. Keys III Pump-Generating Plant. The 50-minute tour is free and offered on a firstcome, first-served basis. It’s a good idea to arrive early. Call 509-633-9265 for the latest information. Visitors are first screened through a metal detector and cannot take bags of any kind on the tour, including camera, diaper bags, or purses. There is no on-site storage. In addition to the tour, ask at the award-winning Visitor Center about their Geocache Challenge.
April 1 - May 22 May 23 - Sept. 7 Sept. 8 -Oct. 31
John W. Keys III Pump-Generating Plant Guided Tour 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 parking lot on the east side of the dam where you will board a bus to be taken to the Pump-Generating Plant. The tour concludes with a bus ride across the top of the dam. Accessible tours are available with advanced notice by calling (509) 633-9265.
Tour Times
10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 All tour participants are required to pass through a metal detector p.m. prior to beginning the tour. Weapons, purses, bags, backpacks, fanny packs, 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and packages are not permitted on the tour. Cameras, but not camera cases, are allowed on the tour. Onsite storage for personal belongings is not available. Be sure to lock your car. Call (509) 633-9265 to inquire about tour availability. For More Information Bureau of Reclamation Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center PO Box 620 Grand Coulee, WA 99133-0620
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Interactive exhibits offer fun at Visitor Center Redesigned and installed in 2006, exhibits at the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center aren't just to look at. From a highdef video game that lets you fly through the dam as you learn, to the hands-on experience of touching the tools used
to build the dam, to a newly produced (2014) documentary film in the upstairs theater, the VC offers something for everyone.
Open 24 Hours
Great Convenience Store & Deli 212 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee on SR 155, north of Safeway 16
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Where can I camp?
At a private campground
Coulee Playland Resort , SR155, 509-633-2671. King’s Court RV Park, SR174 (East), Grand Coulee, 509-633-3655, with laundry and more. Grand Coulee RV Park, SR174 toward Bridgeport. 509-633-0750.
At a State Park
• Steamboat Rock State Park — One of the most popular attractions along Banks Lake, this park is a 900-acre 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 Osborn Bay Campgrounds,with tables and 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 one of the 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, picnic areas, swim
beaches and interpretive programs, to primitive boat-in campgrounds. • Spring Canyon on SR174 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. Fee is 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 US Army until 1898, it 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 SR174 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, also. • 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
There are several campsites on the Colville Indian Reservation open to non-members. Various permits and random camp fees (for boats along the lake) can be purchased for one day, three days, seven days and seasonal. If a ranger sells a permit in the field, there will be an additional fee. Look for reservation camping guidelines at area camping outlets, or call 509-634-3145.
Come enjoy 18 holes
Electric City ~ 633-1400 17
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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 warmwater 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 kind 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 contact 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 the 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 18
Catch trout on Banks and Lake Roosevelt.
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 the Coulee Playland Resort 509-633-2671.
Where are some tribal lakes?
Rufus Woods Lake - 52-mile reservoir stretching from Grand Coulee Dam to Chief Joseph Dam in Bridgeport, is an excellent fishery too. In the dam area, a boat launch is located near Elmer City on the Lower River Road. Heading north, turn left onto the Lower River Road just past Lake Roosevelt High School on SR155. Or ask one of the friendly folks in Elmer City. Boating is prohibited between the SR155 bridge and Grand Coulee Dam. McGinnis Lake - Take SR155 north from Coulee Dam toward Nespelem.Approximately one mile past Elmer City (three miles from Coulee Dam) turn right on the 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 Mc-
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
In dog heaven, a lucky canine explores Banks Lake near Steamboat Rock.
Ginnis Lake, but turn left at the “T” instead of right. Buffalo Lake lies another three to four miles beyond, on a good dirt road.
Can you fish on the reservation?
Fishing is permitted on the waters of Rufus Woods Lake or within the Colville Confederated Tribes "designated fish area" with either a tribal permit or state license. More designated areas will be added later. For updates, you can call the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at 509-754-4624. Non-members of the Colville Tribes must purchase a special permit for all other reservation waters. These can be purchased at certain local businesses such as Coulee Playland Resort in Electric City. Please note, a state license is required when fishing from the shoreline of Douglas County on Rufus Woods Lake. Also, anglers fishing the Spokane Arm (Lake Roosevelt) must have a Spokane tribal permit when they fish from the reservation shore out to the midpoint of the Spokane Arm’s channel. Anglers wishing to fish the Sanpoil River arm of Lake Roosevelt would do well to check with tribal authorities for 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 weeks, 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 spots 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 is good not only from a boat on Lake Roosevelt 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: 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).
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Hunting 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 the rabbit season ends, the hunter will find a variety of Walleye are a popular catch in the coulee. animals, birds and waterfowl to test his or her skills. Weather extremes are also a factor. The dove seaMay: Many area fishermen head for Grand Coulee son opener usually brings the warmest weather of the Dam in May, where they fish directly upstream or year. A goose hunter in December and January may downstream from the dam. experience sub-zero temperatures, while the March Rainbow and walleye are caught not only early in the rabbit hunter will encounter weather comparable to late October and early November. evening but during the pre-dawn hours. The mourning doves arrive in July and by the first A major bass tournament is held on Banks Lake over of September, the normal opening day, this migrathe Memorial Day weekend. tory buzz-bomb is ready to test the mettle of the best wing shooter. They always fly fast. Then add a June: In Banks Lake, the walleye are taking jigs and tail wind and they will appear and disappear in the spinners, just about anything tipped with a nightblink of an eye. These birds can be found in stubble crawler. fields on both sides of the coulee walls and can also Lake Roosevelt is dotted with boats fishing for rain- be found in sagebrush and scab land surrounding bow and silvers.Some fishermen use“hardware”(Pop some stubble fields. Geer and Ford Fenders) while others use small spoons With the end of dove season, usually around the fished from either leaded line or with a downrigger middle of September, the hunter waits for the open30 to 50 feet below the surface. ing of the general hunting season in which upland birds, deer and waterfowl open on one glorious July/August:Lake Roosevelt is usually warm enough by the end of July that the water is tolerable for October Saturday. Mule deer can be found in sagebrush-covered swimming close to shore. flatland and draws surrounding the coulee as can a During these warm months, however, fish will seek few whitetail close to timber.Special archery hunting the cooler deep waters of the lake. seasons can also be found in the area. Opening day also sees the upland bird hunter, Other spiny rays that offer fishing all summer long with his flushing and pointing dogs, hunting the are perch and “slab” crappie in the small coves along brushy draws for quail, the rugged hills for chukkar Banks Lake. and the stubble fields for Hungarian partridge or September/October:While the fishing is still excep- more commonly known as “huns”. At the same time, the waterfowl hunter, with his tional in September, hunting season arrives.With the emphasis now on hunting, sportsmen taper off their retriever, is scouring the small potholes and lakes for fishing during October. ducks and the stubble fields for geese. As any bird and waterfowl sportsman knows, the November/December: If the month of November birds soon become wary. Quail, chukkar, “hun” and has been cold, Banks Lake is beginning to freeze and ice fishing comes to mind. The small bays freeze the occasional Chinese pheasant flush as the 4x4 first and offer fishing for yellow perch. By December, stops and it is only the skillful hunter who can put the lake is often ice-bound and holes are being cut birds in the game bag during this period. The ducks cannot be found as they spend most in the ice. of their days out of harm’s way on the waters of the FISHING REGULATIONS KEEP CHANGING. PLEASE REFER big reservoirs. TO THE CURRENT STATE AND TRIBAL FISHING The goose hunter spends the days when he is REGULATIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION. 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, 20
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
the hunters dig their pit long before daylight the following morning. (They have been careful to obtain permission from the landowner first.) Once the pit is dug, they wait in hope that the geese will return to the same field as they did the morning before. By the middle of November, the 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 Big horn sheep make their home along Lake Roosevelt. becomes a solitary figure in the fields, as most seasons usually end the first tired and wants a change of pace during the day. Coulee country encompasses many acres of state of January. When the goose season ends in the middle of and federal land that offer free hunting. Write to the January, a few hunters will begin hunting the cot- Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, for information and maps of the area. Or visit one of the local tontail rabbit until the end of February. And then there is always fishing if a hunter gets businesses advertising hunting licenses.
Celebrate Grant County's History!
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A walk thru the past… in Grant County's Historical Museum, situated on 3-3/4 acres, a complex of 38 buildings preserving the historical legacy of Grant County. The Historical Village comes to life at the Annual Living Museum & Pioneer Day. New buildings - Big Barn and Old-Time Gas Station
LIVING MUSEUM • Saturday, June 13th PIONEER DAY • Saturday, September 26th • Grant County Historical Society was Chartered 64 Years Ago • Grant County Museum Celebrates its 45 Year Anniversary Museum Opens Saturday, May 2 for 2015 Season
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Museum Closes For Season September 30, 2013 Paid for by Grant County Tourism
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Lake Roosevelt begins its 133-mile stretch north at the city of Grand Coulee. Even when the lake is lowered to make room for spring runoff, as seen here, it still offers plenty of water, beauty and big beaches to explore.
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 now swelled to create a 151-mile long reservoir named Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake in honor of the 32nd President of the United States.
How many campgrounds are there in the LRNRA?
There are 35 campgrounds which 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 opporunities for camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and fishing.
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. 22
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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.
Does the NPS offer programs?
Maintaining the giant
Bureau of Reclamation employees tackle maintenance on the big "drum gates" atop the dam. The gates, here completely lowered, float in water reservoirs that are controlled by operators. When you see the water spill before the laser light show, these big gates have been lowered slightly.
The National Park Service often offers rangerconducted canoe trips on Crescent Lake, below the city of Grand Coulee. All canoeing equipment (canoes, paddles, life vests) is provided. First come, first served. Visitors often see beavers,deer, muskrats, great blue herons, Canada geese, turtles, frogs and nesting cliff swallows. Other NPS-conducted activities at Spring Canyon include: • campfire programs at the amphitheater • hikes on the Bunchgrass Prairie Trail • night sky astronomy tours • Contact NPS before making plans. All programs are subject to change. Call 509-754-7843 or check campground bulletin boards.
Where are the other major Is there a fee for camping? NPS campgrounds? 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 SR174; 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.
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 cutoff 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 US 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 SR174 to Highway 2, east, watch for road signs and turn north at Davenport on SR25 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 available, also. 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. Close by are Sherman Pass and the Kettle River where hiking and canoeing are popular.
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Parks and Viewpoints What are the local choices for a picnic, viewing, easy hike or bike trail?
park, is located one block ahead on the west side of the river next to the Coulee Dam 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 • North Dam Park – the upper half, maintained by table, grills and play equipment in a shaded setting. the Bureau of Reclamation, is located on SR155, Mason City was the early name of a portion of the just 0.3 miles south of its junction with SR174. It town now called Coulee Dam. overlooks Banks Lake and has picnic areas, water The town of Coulee Dam constructed a new park and rest rooms. with provisions for viewing the laser show at Grand • North Dam Park Coulee Dam. Freeoffers a shady picnic dom Point Plaza is area, tennis courts adjacent to the Cosoftball fields, amlumbia River Bridge, phitheater, horseacross the street from shoe pits, a covered the shopping area, grill,picnic areas and and features live perplayground equipformances from time ment for children. to time. A novelty of the park, • Downriver Trail the Gehrke Winda 6.7 mile hiking/ mills are a frequent jogging/biking trail tourist stop. Built along the Columbia by a local resident, River (Rufus Woods who made over 680 Lake) below Grand before his death Coulee Dam was conseveral years ago, structed by the U.S. the windmills are Bureau of Reclamaconstructed of casttion in late 1989. away iron pieces and The landscaped trail, painted in bright part of a road that is colors. Emil Gehrke’s A parking lot and viewpoint at the Visitor Center provides used by the U.S.B.R. windmills are recog- ample parking a great photo ops. for maintenance purnized as "folk art" poses, is open to the treasures and have been given media coverage on public. No motorized vehicles are allowed. A foot television, and in National Geographic and Sunset and bicycle bridge connects the system to the town magazines. of Coulee Dam across from the Coulee House Motel. • Grand Coulee City Park - located on SR174 east. A This compact-gravel pathway is an excellent way to children’s play area and an adjacent picnic section view the river and enjoy a peaceful respite morning, are found in this tree-shaded park.A large basalt rock noon or night. in the center is typical of the natural landscape of the Grand Coulee. Restrooms and water are available. • Douglas Park - found on SR155 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. • Cole Park - also maintained by Coulee Dam, affords You will find special delight in seeing the Grand Coulee a variety of recreational activities.It is located just off Dam and surrounding countryside from this hilltop. SR155, five minutes north of the Visitor Center (VC). Take SR174 two miles west of Grand Coulee (toward Do not cross the Columbia River Bridge but continue Bridgeport) and watch for signs. north onto Columbia Avenue past the bridge. The
Try Crown Point for a bird’s-eye view of the dam!
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
With some 600 miles of shoreline and 3 trillion gallons of water in 150 miles, Lake Roosevelt provides for plenty of swimming, beaches, boating and fun, including some creative water-on-air painting. Looks like a heart, don't you think?
Is Banks Lake a natural lake?
“Coulee” Facts
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 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 eruption of lava which solidified and was later swept away by massive and tumultuous Ice Age floods. Forty million 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 million 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 and playground equipment, boat launch, marine fuel, boat rental and overnight docking. Campers also will find a swimming area (no lifeguard). Open all year round. Continued
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
What about hiking?
• Steamboat Rock State Park — One of the most popular attractions along Banks Lake, this park is a Adventurous hikers should try Steamboat Rock.Head 900-acre camp for swimming, hiking and boating. toward the saddle of the monolith,which can be seen It has a sandy beach and sheltered swim area (no from the park roadway.There are steep spots,but they lifeguards), plus a bath house, a concession stand, a grassy picnic area with playground equipment, are not difficult for most hikers. The panoramic view and a truly unique view of Banks Lake and Steam- from the top is wonderful. There are approximately 640 acres at the summit. boat Rock. It offers over 100 campsites with full hookups. Hikers may also venture into Northrup Canyon where Water,electricity,sewer,tables and stoves are located they will find 3,120 acres of forested ravines tucked at each site, and 26 standard sites with table, stove, away between coulee walls. The area harbors the and tent pad, plus 12 boat-in campsites located on only natural forest in Grant County and is a nesting the north end of Steamboat Rock. The restrooms ground for the bald eagle and a peaceful home for other wildlife. To hike the have hot showers. At Jones area, contact the rangers at Bay and Osborn Bay are 80 Steamboat Rock State Park. primitive sites with table, A few cautions: Do not wanstove, a vault toilet, but no der too near the edge of running water. the rock. Basalt is not stable Steamboat Rock State Park rock upon which to depend is part of the state’s reserfor sound footing when apvation camping system. proaching the edges. Stand a respectable distance from Reservations for camping the edge. Be aware also that can be made online at www. this is rattlesnake country. parks.wa.gov or by calling Rattlesnakes are generally 888-226-7688. The popular not lethal, but they should campground fills up fast be avoided. You will find and early reservations are them around most of the recommended. The park local trails during summer is open for camping year months. While not particuround. larly aggressive, they have Please Note: A permit been known to bite. If bitis required for boat ten, seek medical attention. Finally, if you plan to hike an launching , and trailer hour or more, carry water to dumping at the park. A quench your thirst and help boat launching annual avoid leg cramps. pass may be obtained at the park office or from Banks Lake Golf Course the Washington State Parks Commission in Olympia, Washington.
Where can I launch my boat?
Boat launching ramps can be found at Steamboat Rock State Park, 11 miles south of Grand Coulee on SR155, 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 the SR155. 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. 28
Is there golfing in the coulee?
Yes, the public may golf at Banks Lake Golf and Country Club located approximately 1.5 miles west of Electric City and about five miles from Grand Coulee Dam on SR155. 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 wide-open course. Golfing equipment can be rented at the clubhouse from 7 a.m. to dark, early spring to late fall. Food and drinks are also sold at the clubhouse. Superb golfing is also available nearby at the Sun Lakes Golf Course south of Coulee City.
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.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Four-Town Map The Grand Coulee dam community is made up of four towns and more than a dozen unincorporated areas between and around those towns. Electric City is the farthest south on SR 155. Next, heading north, is Grand Coulee, then Coulee Dam, which straddles the Coloumbia River, then Elmer City. Heading north toward Omak as you cross the river in Coulee Dam, you enter the Colville Indian Reservation.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Colvilles — Native People
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 The Colvilles are currently constructing a new 155,000 square foot of settlers in the 1800s. headquarters about 12 miles north of Grand Coulee Dam. The $36 million Today, the Colville Con- project will be completed in October, 2015. federated Tribes is made up of 12 different bands of at Kettle Falls by a man named Simpson. Indians. Eleven bands are from eastern Washington The new post was to be called Fort Colvile, after the state, and one band, the Nez Perce, is from northeast leading member of the committee of directors in Oregon. The 12 bands are: Wenatchi, Entiat, Chelan, London,Andrew Wedderburn Colvile.Andrew Colvile, Methow, Okanogan, Nespelem, San Poil, Lakes, Moses, who was in the rum and molasses business, never set foot in America. He had, however, advanced Simpson Palus, Nez Perce and Sweelpoo. to his position of leadership. 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 As nomadic peoples, the different bands followed the and otter were most important, but martin and bear seasons and their sources of food. became popular after the 1840s. As many as 20,000 Deer and other big game, plus dried salmon were pelts a year went out of Fort Colvile. the primary food of winter. Small groups lived in the The word “Colville” was used by government officials mountains and hunted the abundant game. not the aboriginal Indians, who never met Andrew In the spring,the native people congregated in slightly Colvile. As time went on, and for convenience, the larger groups to gather camas and other roots in term “Colville” came more and more to be used as a the lower valleys. Through the summer and fall the designation for the native people of this area. Because Columbia River provided abundant salmon and other of Fort Colvile, all neighboring bands were eventually fish which encouraged large concentrations of Salish- confederated as Colville Indians. speaking Colville people. 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 HistoriMany different tribes fished and traded goods with cal Center Building which features native American each other in the area of Kettle Falls, Washington. In crafts, history and a retail shop. The exhibit is open the 1820s, non-native people learned that the Indians weekends in May and Wednesday through Sunday, excelled at trapping and stalking game for the large 11:00am to 5:00pm from June 1 through LaborDay. fur trade. For this purpose, a new fort was established
How did these native Americans live?
How did the different bands come to be called the “Colville” Tribes?
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
When were the boundaries of the Colville reservation established?
Chinook Dances, the annual spring thanksgiving Root Feasts, and the memorial give-aways 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 The original reservation was in exPaschal Sherman Indian School, istence for less than three months Omak, the July 4th Powwow of 1872 when other executive Celebration at Nespelem, the orders and agreements began to powwow at the Omak Stampede take portions of the reservation in August and other traditional for public domain. Over a 10-year gatherings. At these events, and period the Colville Indian Reservaat a number of locations on the tion was reduced to its present size, reservation, members display traless than half the original. ditional bead and buckskin items often done in designs handed down for generations. Powwow in Nespelem In Nespelem, the powwow takes place in the Tribes’ “Circle,” a traditional gathering place. Indians arrive from reservations in Montana, Idaho,WashingThe Colville Indian reservation is 2,300 square miles ton and Oregon to join in the festivities. Authentic — about 1.3 million acres. It is bigger than the state ceremonial dress, stick games, dozens of teepees and a long-established rodeo make the celebration of Rhode Island. memorable. This Annual Fourth of July Celebration lasts for 10 days. The public is invited to attend the powwows and other tribal-sponsored activities, including a meal of traditional foods.
How big is the Colville reservation?
How many Colvilles are there today?
More than 9,000 people are members of the Colville Confederated Tribes.
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
NEW
Reopens May Closes After Labor Day
Hours of Operation:
SPRING/SUMMER
Mon. - Sun. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
FALL/WINTER
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 512 Mead Way • Coulee Dam 509.633.0751/FAX 509.633.2320 e-mail - ctmuseum@couleedam.net 33
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Is there an Indian museum?
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 The Colville Tribal Museum has opened its doors to Lake Roosevelt here, which has been in operation since 1948. Farther the newly renoeast over another vated museum forested mountain and exhibits. pass is the sceThe museum is nic community of open from 8:30Inchelium.If travel5 p.m., Monday ing west, continue through Sunday from Nespelem on until Labor Day, Highway 155 over then on Monday beautiful Disautel through Friday Pass to Omak in the sunny Okanogan 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Valley. for fall and winter. There are 18 wellThe museum first stocked lakes opened in 1995, on the reservaand is located in tion with limited Coulee Dam at fishing as well as 512 Mead Way. Fascinating displays at the tribal museum include a wall hunting for nonDuring 2009, the depicting the great salmon fishing site of Kettle Falls, both members.Informaexhibit gallery before and after it was flooded and covered by water rising tion about these behind the dam. was closed for sporting activities renovation. In is available from March, 2011, the Grand Opening became a real- the Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department in Nespelem ity for the 12 bands of the Confederated Tribes of (509) 634-2110. the Colville Indian Reservation, representing the Okanogan, Nespelem, Sanpoil, Chief Joseph Band Come Out And Play! 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 art work. 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. 34
Cabins RV Sites Gift Shop Golf Course Grocery Store Snack Bar Mini-Golf Water Wars
Boat Rentals Fishing Public Boat Launch Public Beaches Outdoor Pool Open to the Public Big Rig Friendly Drop-Ins Welcome
NO DISCOVER PASS required to visit the resort
Sun Lakes Resort 509-632-5291 sunlakesparkresort.com
Located in Sun Lakes/Dry Falls State Park on Hwy 17 7 miles south of Coulee City
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Other great day tours
Cruise North America’s Deepest Gorge Any trip to NCW is not complete without a tour of “North America’s Deepest Gorge” and the mountain community of Stehekin at the headwaters of Lake Chelan. Just a little over an hour from Grand Coulee, Lake Chelan is an easy jaunt, though the far end of the lake is only accessible by boat or float plane as there are no roads to the upper half of the lake. Not to worry, the “Lady of the Lake” provides year-round service and tours to the far end of this lake. The boat trip takes you from the lower basin deep into the Cascades.The ultimate destination
BRAND NEW LAZY RIVER!
is the small isolated community of Stehekin which sits at the head of the ancient lake, and at the foot of a mountain pass once used by Indians traveling on foot over the mountains. Stehekin is an old Indian word meaning “the way through.” During your layover in Stehekin, make sure to enjoy one of the several valley tours offered. Reservations can be made in advance with the Lady of the Lake to ensure availability. The new “Lady Cat“ cuts the travel time to the other end, with speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
Put Your Business in the Visitors' Guide, in print and online at gcdvisitor.com.
Located on a butte overlooking Lake Chelan, Slidewaters is one of the Northwest’s largest and most popular waterslide parks.
9 Waterslides 2 Tube Rides 60 Person Hot Tub Swimming Sunbathing 3-Lane Downhill Racer
Concessions Arcade Gift Shop Picnic Area Volleyball Fun for all…
Open Daily 10 a.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day
(509) 682-5751 www.slidewaters.com
Tickets Now Available at www.slidewaters.com
Call 1-888-633-1350 or email to
star@grandcoulee.com
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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. 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.
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! 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 regular scheduled service all year. Choose a one-hour or a three-hour layover in Stehekin, and enjoy the serenity of this quiet mountain valley with a visit to the small shops at the landing, or take the shuttle to view 312’ Rainbow Falls and Slidewaters Waterpark Stehekin’s One-Room Schoolhouse. The 36
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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. 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, and 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
Stehekin Landing 37
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Welcome to Wilbur
If it is 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 ninehole golf course. The course features wellmaintained 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. Downtown,you can relax in the shade of one of the most beautiful city parks around. The well-kept lawns are framed with splendid old trees and a rustic footbridge crosses Goose Creek, which flows through the center of the park. The Centennial Pavilion at the south side of the park is available for public use. 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 38
Wheat fields near Wilbur.
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.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
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. Okanogan has become a magnet for young families, retirees, businesses, tourists, light industry and recreation enthusiasts looking for a pristine environment. 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 old 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. With first-rate schools, medical facilities and other amenities, Okanogan is a great place to visit, live, work, establish a business, locate an industry, enjoy recreation and more. Okanogan is served by rail, highway and air, and is home to first-class motel and restaurant services. Okanogan is home to Okanogan Public Utility District, which provides Okanogan County with reliable, inexpensive electrical power.Infrastructure is in place or in development for commercial and industrial expansion. A lively retail business district provides a complete range of goods and services for visitors and residents alike. Distinguishing Okanogan in the Okanogan Valley
A replica old fire hall in Okanogan
region is one of the most precious commodities in the area — water! Okanogan has plenty of pure, clean water for residential and industrial use. Okanogan enjoys more than 300 sunny days per year. The area has four distinct seasons during the year with hot summers, snow in the winter, and perfect spring and autumn seasons. Conditions in the Okanogan area have produced the finest location in the world for orchards including apples, pears, peaches, cherries, nuts and others. Okanogan is the center of the Okanogan Valley fruit industry. 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, sight-see, as well as enjoy clean air, clean water and all the amenities of an urban locale with a hometown feeling. 39
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
The Okanogan River winds through the Okanogan Valley, here seen from an overlook above east Omak, through the cleft of what geologists say is the meeting point of two ancient subcontinents once separated by a sea.
Center of the Okanogan Valley Omak
The busy hub of the Okanogan features year-round 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. As the hub of the“all season”Okanogan vacationland, Omak offers vacationers a wide range of recreational opportunities. The city-operated Eastside Park offers full camping, R.V. facilities and showers, a new swimming pool, a golf course and bowling. 40
Conconully State Park
Conconully State Park, located in a side valley above Omak, is a cool, restful oasis on the banks of the Conconully reservoir, developed in the 1900s for irrigation. The park features standard and primitive campsites, and an expansive picnic area, complete with enormous shade trees, a picnic shelter, and a wading pool and play structure for youthful visitors. Near the park entrance, a replica of the first county courthouse stands. It features a sod roof and is typical of many of the ranch cabins that dotted this landscape in the early years of white settlement in Okanogan County. To reach the park, take the Riverside cut-off road
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
See if you can spot this Virgil Marchand sculpture of Sasquatch high above SR-155 on the way to Omak at Disautel Pass.
from Highway 97,5.2 miles north of Omak.The cut-off road will intersect Highway 215, follow this highway 10 miles to Conconully and follow signs to the park.
Bridgeport State Park
Bridgeport State Park is located near the enormous hydroelectric facility at Chief Joseph Dam. The green, fertile lawns of the park form a welcome relief from the brown, barren desert surroundings. The park features standard, RV hookups and handicap-accessible campsites, picnic sites and shelters, a children’s play facility, swimming beach, trailer camp and a nine-hole golf course. To escape from the summer heat, cottonwood and aspen trees are scattered throughout the campground.Wildlife that can be seen in the park include marmots, coyotes, rabbits, quail and (watch your step) rattlesnakes. The park is located near the town of Bridgeport on a spur road off Highway 17.
Alta Lake State Park
On a forested side canyon, above the arid valley near Pateros, is lovely Alta Lake State Park. Elevation, foliage and the cool waters of Alta Lake make this park a popular summertime attraction. Boating, trout fishing, camping and hiking are some of the many activities available here. Campers can find standard, RV hookups and primitive sites, plus a group camp for clubs and organized groups. Nearby attractions include a golf course, guided horseback rides and boat rentals. To find the park, drive 1.8 miles west on Highway 153 from Pateros, turn left on Alta Lake Road and follow the signs to the park. After a busy day,tourists wishing for a little relaxation and entertainment combination are urged to attend a program at Omak’s Performing Arts Center. The organization's ultimate goal is to bring the world’s great performers to Okanogan County in its stateof-the-art theater. The center presents live music, dance, and serious adult theater. Stand-up and clap aloud as family entertainment abounds from the 564-seat center. 41
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Bull and rider get airborne at the Ridge Riders Rodeo Grounds in Delano. The group will offer multiple events this year, including their best-in-state Colorama Rodeo May 8-9, the Cleatis Lacy Memorial Bull Riding event May 23, and more.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
1950 Ridge Riders Trail Ride across Grand Coulee Dam
2015 Going 2012and and Still Still Going
RIDING CLINIC -April 4-7, Banquet & Auction - March 14, 2015
Riding Clinic - March 31 through April111 BARREL RACING CLINIC - April 9-10COLORAMA RODEO ACTIVITIES Chute Dogging is a new event this year. Local businesses Banquet and Auction - April 2, 2012 Rodeo - May 8 & 9 • Cleatis Lacy Memorial Bull - May will put together teams thatRiding will start out in the 23 bucking Colorama Rodeo Activities Ranch Rodeo June 27 • Junior Rodeo July 18-19 chute with a steer wrestling steer. They must get across Rodeo - May 11 & 12 the line in front of the chutes before attempting to throw Cleatis Lacy Memorial Bull Riding - May 13 the steer. The fastest time will win. 2 Ranch Rodeos - June 30 & September 22
1953 Team Penning
Ranch Rodeos consist of a four member team, one of which must be a cowgirl. There is lots of action in the arena as the teams participate in normal ranch life activities. Team Branding - Team Mugging/Pasture Gathering, Trailer Loading and good ole Ranch Bronc Riding. There is a catch, contestants cannot run their horses. Come join us for this fast paced
2009 1964 Colorama Rodeo Grand Entry
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Raise a mug in our beer garden! Beer - Wine - Well Drinks Sandwiches - Hamburgers Daily Specials Broasted Chicken
Try Our Famous Chicken Ceasar Salad
ELECTRIC CITY BAR & GRILL 509.633.2221
Enjoy the convenience of 24-hour fueling service With a Pacific Pride fueling card you can stop at any Pacific Pride station nationwide any hour of the day or night. Travel with confidence and enjoy the convenience. For more information, please call,
Bull riding is one featured event at the annual Colorama Rodeo on Mother’s Day weekend at the Ridge Riders Rodeo Grounds in Grand Coulee. The saddle club will also offer bull riding and a “ranch rodeo” in June.
44
Whitley Fuel LLC
An Independent Franchise of Pacific Pride
PACIFIC PRIDE
Commercial Fueling
1-800-955-FUEL Locally located on the Midway in Grand Coulee
whitleyfuel.com/
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
AD INDEX AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING Silver Creek Systems........................... 38
LAUNDROMAT King's Court RV Park..............................7
AUTO SALES & RENTALS Jess Ford................................................. 11
MEDICAL FACILITIES Coulee Medical Center...................... 44
BODY SHOP Bird's Auto Glass & Body Shop........ 11
INSURANCE Foisy & Kennedy Inc............................ 10 State Farm.............................................. 24
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Grand Coulee Dam Area.............24-25 CLOTHING Coulee Playland................................... 24 Harvest Foods..........................................2 CONSTRUCTION Coulee Construction.............................7 FRUIT STANDS Shaw's.........................................................7 FISHING SUPPLIES Bentz Tackle..............................................7 Coulee Playland................................... 12 H&H Grocery......................................... 12
INFORMATION CENTERS Grand Coulee Chamber..............24-25 Grant County Tourism........................ 24 GCD Visitor Arrival Center................ 15 MOTELS/CAMPING Columbia River Inn............................. 13 Coulee Playland................................... 24 Grand Coulee Center Lodge............ 48 Grand Coulee RV Park...........................7 King’s Court RV Park..............................7 Sky Deck Motel..................................... 21 Sunbanks Lake Resort........................ 48 Sun Lakes Resort.................................. 34 Trailwest.....................................................7
GASOLINE/MECHANICS Coulee Gas............................................. 16 Jack's Service......................................... 11 Whitley Fuel........................................... 44
MUSEUMS Colville Tribal Museum...................... 33 Grant County Historical Museum.............................. 21
GROCERY STORES/MINI MARTS Coulee Gas............................................. 16 Coulee Playland................................... 12 H&H Grocery......................................... 12 Harvest Foods..........................................2 Jack's Service......................................... 11 Sunbanks Resort.................................. 48 Sun Lakes Resort.................................. 34
REAL ESTATE Foisy & Kennedy Inc............................ 10 Wandermere (Tina Craig)................. 22
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
AD INDEX RESTAURANTS/BARS/BISTROS DRIVE-INS/ESPRESSO STANDS Electric City Bar & Grill....................... 44 Fusion...................................................... 10 Grand Grindz............................................2 Hometown Pizza.................................. 11 Jack's Service......................................... 11 MJ's........................................................... 11 Melody Restaurant.................................7 Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grille.....................3 R&A Café....................................................7 Siam Palace............................................ 10 Sunbanks Lake Resort........................ 51 Tropical Pig...............................................7 SOUVENIRS Colville Tribal Museum...................... 33 Coulee Playland................................... 12 Grand Coulee Center Lodge............ 48 GCD Chamber.................................12-13 Grant County Historical Museum.................................................. 21 H&H Grocery......................................... 12 Harvest Foods..........................................2 Jack's Service......................................... 11 Shaw's Fruit...............................................7 Sunbanks Lake Resort........................ 48 Sun Lakes Resort.................................. 34
TIRES/BRAKES Jess Ford................................................. 11 Les Schwab............................................ 13 TOUR BOATS Lady of the Lake................................... 37 TOWING Jack's Service......................................... 13 WATERSLIDES Slide Waters........................................... 35
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2015-2016
Laser Show Facts
An entirely new laser show debuted in May, 2014. It tells the history of the dam and the region and people it changed forever. — Photo courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
How long is the laser show?
The laser light show lasts approximately 30 minutes, during which time colorful images created by the lasers move back and forth across the huge surface of the dam.
How are the lasers used at Grand Coulee Dam?
As one of the largest entertainment laser projection systems in the world, and certainly the largest outdoor laser show in Where can I view the show? North America,the lasers at Grand Coulee Dam tell the story The best locations are the seating area at the Visitor Center of the Columbia River and how its power was harnessed and from the park below the to provide multiple benefits to Visitor Center.These areas promankind, including electrical vide an outdoor sound system. power, irrigation for farming 2015 Laser Show Times The town of Coulee Dam has and exciting recreational opNightly at Grand Coulee Dam a park — terraced and grassy portunities. As a result of the for viewing the laser show — open process of scripting the May 23 to July 31 at 10:00 p.m. adjacent to the east end of the show new in 2014, viewers will Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 at 9:30 p.m. Columbia River bridge. also understand the costs of Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 at 8:30 p.m. Other viewing spots: from building the dam — cost to Douglas Park in Coulee Dam; wildlife, and to native peoples from Crown Point atop the whose way of life was depengranite cliffs above Lake Rufus Woods,access from SR174 dent on that wildlife,in particular,the salmon that no longer towards Bridgeport. could continue upstream to spawn. 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 Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is so commonly used now that the tradition of using capital letters for an acronym has been dropped.
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 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. 47
Enjoy the fun and sun at Sunbanks Lake Resort on Banks Lake, one of the biggest & warmest lakes in Washington State!
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