ABOVE: The Lower Granite Lock and Dam are seen from the north shore of the Snake River near Almota. While debate rages between those who want Lower Granite Dam and the other three dams on the lower Snake River breached and those who want them to stay, not many folks have actually visited the remote dams. LEFT: Water rushes down the adult fish ladder at the Lower Granite Dam.
ABOVE: The Lower Granite Lock and Dam are seen from the north shore of the Snake River near Almota. While debate rages between those who want Lower Granite Dam and the other three dams on the lower Snake River breached and those who want them to stay, not many folks have actually visited the remote dams. LEFT: Water rushes down the adult fish ladder at the Lower Granite Dam.
Fish are seen making their way up the adult fish ladder through a viewing window in the visitors center at the Lower Granite Dam at Almota. Visitors to the dam can watch the migrating fish work their way back upriver.
Water rushes down the adult fish ladder at the Lower Granite Dam at Almota.
A boat prepares to pass through the Lower Granite Lock on the Snake River at Almota.
A map of the lower Snake River is displayed for visitors at Lower Granite Dam at Almota.
We spend a lot of time talking about federal dams on the lower Snake River and whether they should stay or go.
But have you ever visited one? Ever seen a salmon? Now is a great time to go to Lower Granite Dam, especially if you are interested in the debate over how best to recover imperiled salmon and steelhead.
The dam is the last one returning adult salmon and steelhead bound for Idaho must pass, and its visitor center, on the south side of the river, has a popular fish viewing window. May is fairly reliable for those interested in seeing spring chinook. Adults are passing the dam as they return from the Pacific Ocean and head toward spawning grounds or the hatcheries where they began life. At the same time, juvenile salmon and steelhead are streaming through, over and around the dam on their way to the ocean.
Visitors can take in interpretive displays explaining the salmon and steelhead life cycle, the extensive adult and juvenile fish passage infrastructure constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the specialized barges used to ship some of the young fish through the Snake and Columbia rivers hydropower system.
Also at the visitor center is information on the hydroelectricity produced at the dam and the locks that make river transportation possible. Riverborne transportation and hydropower production are both central to the dam-versus-fish debate.
Guided tours of the dam are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Vehicles can drive across the dam 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
But there’s more to see at the dam and its immediate vicinity. The Corps maintains recreation facilities such as boat ramps, fishing sites, camping, seasonal beach access and access to habitat management units. Popular spots include Illia Dunes on the south side of the river and Boyer Park on the north side.
More information about the dam and nearby recreation opportunities are available at bit.ly/3E8WPih and bit.ly/3KLlI64. n
Lower Granite Dam
LOCATION: From the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, travel west on U.S. Highway 12, just past Alpowa Summit, then turn right and head north on Ledgerwood Road. After 2 miles, continue north on Kirby Mayview Road and follow it, Casey Creek Road and Almota Ferry Road to the dam. This route approaches the dam from its downriver side and ends on the south side of the river. From Pullman, follow State Route 194 to Almota, to Lower Granite Road and the downstream side of the dam at Boyer Park. To reach the visitor center, cross the dam.
WHAT YOU’LL DO: Watch salmon as they access the dam’s fish ladder, learn about salmon passage infrastructure, river transportation and hydroelectric generation.
DIFFICULTY: 2 out of 5.
DON’T FORGET: Sunscreen, drinks and snacks. If you plan to cross the dam, make sure crossings are offered at the time of your visit.
NEARBY SITES OF INTEREST: Boyer Park, Illia Dunes.
Sign up today to have headlines, breaking news or our weekly sports newsletter, the Rundown, delivered straight to your inbox
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Text LMT to 55678 to receive breaking news alerts/links to your phone. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to stop.
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.
Thank you.
Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Ends: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
