Region 2: The Columbia Plateau
Nestled between the Cascade and Rocky Mountain ranges, the Columbia Plateau was an inland sea for tens of millions of years, until about 15 million years ago when volcanic activity deposited layer upon layer of lava. Because of its topography, this region is tops in the nation for hydroelectric power generation. The Columbia Plateau is more than 80% powered by renewable energy, with wind energy production second only to hydroelectric.
Hydroelectricity uses the gravitational force of falling or rushing water to rotate turbines that convert the water’s force into energy.
The Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric plant in the US (Figure 7.3). The Grand Coulee was built from 1933 to 1942 and was originally designed to irrigate the Northwest. However, the advent of WWII significantly raised the need for energy in the region when the Northwest became a manufacturing hub for the war. A third power station was added to the complex in 1974, making it the largest, most productive hydroelectric plant in the nation.
Figure 7.3: The Grand Coulee Dam.
