The Columbia Basin Project
Clip: Season 24 Episode 6 | 1m 5s
In the spring of 1952, work was finally underway on the Columbia Basin Project.
In the spring of 1952, work was finally underway on the Columbia Basin Project, a huge system of canals, tunnels, and aqueducts that would flow out of the Grand Coulee reservoir. The irrigation system carried water from Grand Coulee Dam to 66,000 acres of farmland. By 2012, the acreage increased more than ten fold to 671,000.
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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
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The Columbia Basin Project
Clip: Season 24 Episode 6 | 1m 5s
In the spring of 1952, work was finally underway on the Columbia Basin Project, a huge system of canals, tunnels, and aqueducts that would flow out of the Grand Coulee reservoir. The irrigation system carried water from Grand Coulee Dam to 66,000 acres of farmland. By 2012, the acreage increased more than ten fold to 671,000.
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The biggest challenge in building Grand Coulee Dam was diverting the flow of the Columbia. (2m 40s)
Grand Coulee Dam: Engineering Challenges
The engineering challenges became apparent as soon as construction got underway. (2m 46s)
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Grand Coulee Dam was dedicated in front of a crowd of 8,000 on March 22, 1941. (1m 13s)
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Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.