NEW INDUSTRIES have been built, land reclaimed for cultivation, floods controlled, and low-cost electricity made available to farm and city dwellers as a result of dams and irrigation projects constructed by the U.S. Government in the Columbia River Basin, north-western United States, Development of water resources in the basin began in 1933 and involves eventual construction of 142 major dams on the Columbia River and its tributaries in the 259,000-square-mile area. The photograph shows Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, State of Washington key dam in the project and largest single source of electricity in the United States. The thirteenth hydroelectric generator was started by President Truman at official ceremonies held on May 11. Grand Coulee Dam produces 1,404,000 kilowatts—enough electricity to supply an industrial city of more than 1,250,000 population. Below the dam is the new town of Mason City (foreground). Lake Franklin D. Roosevelt, a huge water reservoir for irrigation, extends behind the dam some 150 miles to the Canadian border.
Gisborne Herald
11 August 1950
Evening Star
12 March 1946
