Cowlitz Falls Dam
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Cowlitz Falls Dam
| name_official =
| image = File:Cowlitz Falls Prjt 8136.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Project
| image_alt =
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| coordinates = {{coord|46.46680|-122.10880|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark}}
| country = United States
| location = Lewis County, Washington
| purpose =
| status = Operational
| construction_began =
| opening = 1994
| demolished =
| cost =
| builder = Bonneville Power Administration,
| designed_by =
| owner =
| operator = Bonneville Power Administration,
| dam_type =
| dam_crosses = Cowlitz River
| dam_height_foundation =
| dam_height_thalweg =
| dam_height = {{convert|140|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_length = {{convert|700|ft|m|abbr=on}}
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| res_name = Lake Scanewa
| res_capacity_total =
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| res_catchment =
| res_surface = {{convert|700|acres|abbr=on}}
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| res_elevation = {{convert|264|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{gnis|1669433}}
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| plant_capacity = 70 megawatt
| plant_capacity_factor =
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| plant_annual_gen =
| plant_annual_gen_year = {{convert|260|gigawatt hours|abbr=on}}
| website =
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}}
Cowlitz Falls Dam is a 70 megawatt hydroelectric dam in Lewis County, Washington. It was constructed in the early 1990s and completed in 1994. The dam is {{convert|140|ft|m}} high and {{convert|700|ft|m}} wide.{{cite web|url=http://www.lcpud.org/PUD/cowlitz-falls-project |title=Cowlitz Falls Project |publisher=Lewis County PUD |date= |accessdate=July 15, 2012}}
History
A village of the Cowlitz people, known as Koapk, existed at the Cowlitz Falls Dam site. The tribe, possibly Upper Cowlitz, were known as the k’wolama.{{cite news |last1=Rochon Wilson |first1=Roy I. |title=Where and How the Cowlitz Lived |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/roy-i-rochon-wilson-commentary-where-and-how-the-cowlitz-lived,128619? |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 31, 2012}}
Geography
The dam's reservoir, Lake Scanewa, is located at the confluence of the Cowlitz River and Cispus River downstream of Randle, Washington with a surface area of about {{convert|700|acres}}. The lake is accessible by way of the Cowlitz Falls Park, a day use area situated near the junction with the Cispus River.{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Buddy |title=Coho bring anglers to Lake Scanewa |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/coho-bring-anglers-to-lake-scanewa,236526? |access-date=February 7, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 29, 2004}}
Power plant
The Cowlitz Falls Project impounds the Cowlitz River and produces on average 260 gigawatt hours annually for the local public utility, the Lewis County Public Utility District, or about one-third of its annual electrical needs. The facility was developed jointly with the Bonneville Power Administration, and the BPA bears the direct cost of operating and maintaining the dam.{{cite web |url=http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewnewspaged/articleid/4906475/pageid/1 |title=Cowlitz Falls Dam Offline Since January- Page:1 |publisher=Istockanalyst.com |date=February 19, 2011 |accessdate=July 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905021208/http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewnewspaged/articleid/4906475/pageid/1 |archive-date=September 5, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|United States|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
{{Commons Category|Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Project}}