Bonneville Dam – Columbia River – Oregon
The history of dams on the Columbia River is deeply intertwined with political, environmental, and cultural struggles. Beginning in the early 20th century, dams such as Bonneville (1938) and Grand Coulee (1942) were constructed primarily for hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and flood control, transforming the river into a powerhouse for the Pacific Northwest. However, these massive projects came with significant consequences, particularly for Indigenous tribes whose ancestral lands and fisheries were disrupted. The construction of dams blocked salmon migration routes, devastating traditional fishing grounds that had sustained tribes like the Yakama, Nez Perce, and Umatilla for centuries. Despite mitigation efforts such as hatcheries and fish ladders, wild salmon populations plummeted, sparking decades of controversy and legal battles over tribal fishing rights, conservation, and dam operations. Political conflicts emerged over balancing economic benefits—hydropower remains a key renewable energy source for the region—with environmental and cultural preservation. In recent years, growing calls to remove or modify certain dams, particularly on the lower Snake River (a major tributary), have intensified as climate change and conservation concerns amplify pressure on policymakers. The Columbia River’s dam network remains a symbol of both human ingenuity and the lasting tensions between development, ecology, and Indigenous sovereignty.
