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American Experience

Grand Coulee Dam: Pouring the Concrete

It took millions of cubic yards of concrete to build Grand Coulee Dam.

Aired 04/03/2012 | Rating NR

American Experience

Grand Coulee Dam: Pouring the Concrete

Clip: Season 24 Episode 6 | 1m 56s

It took millions of cubic yards of concrete to build Grand Coulee Dam.

On December 6, 1935, the first bucket of concrete was poured onto the dam site. To prevent the possibility of cracking, concrete was poured into hundreds of 50 foot square blocks every 72 hours. After each pour, workers would scrub the concrete with wide brushes to remove scum. Millions of cubic yards were poured, and in February 1938, the foundation was completed 14 months ahead of schedule.

Aired 04/03/2012 | Rating NR

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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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Grand Coulee Dam - Preview

Airs Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 8/7c. Check your local listings. (30s)

The Columbia Basin Project

In the spring of 1952, work was finally underway on the Columbia Basin Project. (1m 5s)

Diverting the Columbia River

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)

The Impact of Grand Coulee Dam

Grand Coulee Dam was dedicated in front of a crowd of 8,000 on March 22, 1941. (1m 13s)

Grand Coulee Dam Chapter 1

Premiering April 3, 2012 at 8/7c. Check your local listings. (13m 16s)

Grand Coulee Dam's Open Spillways

This 15-second time-lapse video shows the Grand Coulee Dam's spillway closing. (15s)

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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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