Boundary Dam is listed as another of the special attractions to be found along the North Pend Oreille Scenic Byway, which encompasses a 23 mile long stretch of the Pend Oreille Valley from Tiger, WA in the south to the Canadian Border.
Owned and operated by
Seattle City Light, this Hydro Project supplies more than one-third of Seattle City Light's power. Water stored behind its 340 foot high -- 32 foot thick arch dam forms a lake that stretches 17.5 miles upstream to the Box Canyon Dam and contains 40,000 acre feet of water. When completed in 1967 the project utilized four turbines, each producing up to 208,000 kilowatts of electricity. In 1985 two more turbines and generators were added, bringing its total output to 1,024 Megawatts.
This is an interesting project, first because an arch dam was employed instead of a gravity dam, saving gazillions of yards of concrete, and secondly because the powerhouse is nowhere to be seen. Unless, that is, one goes underground. It is within the mountain/hill adjacent to the dam, ensconced within pure bedrock. The site is at a narrow canyon, chosen because it allowed construction of a dam of minimum possible length.
In spite of legal difficulties and other obstacles the project came online on September 1, 1967, a month before an imposed deadline.
130 miles long, the Pend Oreille rises in the mountains in eastern Idaho. It is a sizeable river by the time it reaches this point. As can be seen in the photo below, the operators must spill a
lot of water in the spring when water flow is at its peak.
NORTH PEND OREILLE
SCENIC BYWAY
The North Pend Oreille Scenic Byway is called the “Forgotten Corner” for a reason. Located in the very northeast corner of Washington State, the area seems as if time stands still. See where huge glaciers buried the ancient shoreline forever beneath the rubble of the ages and shaped the land anew. Today a great emerald river “carves its way northward around the ankle bones of mile-high, majestic mountains.”
Part of the International Selkirk Loop, this byway provides visitors with the chance to experience solitude in the Selkirk Mountains. Encounter the breathtaking scenery and wander the trails and side roads for closer views. Catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife in the area. Visitors are likely to see woodland caribou, grey wolves, grizzly bears, and bald eagles. Come and discover the legacy that local pioneers have left for modern-day residents and visitors.
Location
Begins on Hwy 31 at the junction of US 20 / US 31 at Tiger to the International Border.
Length
23 miles. Allow 40 minutes.
When to see it
Any season is the best time to visit the “Forgotten Corner.” Lush green springs and summers contrast with brilliantly colored autumns and white, snowy winters. Take the opportunity to enjoy the variety of recreational aspects of this beautiful area.
Special Attractions
Gardner Caves at Crawford State Park, Sullivan Lake, Sweet Creek Falls, Eagles Nest View Point, Box Canyon Dam,
Boundary Dam,
Cutter Theater & Museum,
Mill Pond Flume Historic Site, Abercrombie-Hooknose Viewpoint,
Tiger Historical Museum.
From the Selkirk Loop