Garrison Dam

Garrison Dam
Name	Garrison Dam
Location	North Dakota, United States
Operator	United States Army Corps of Engineers
Height	210 feet
Length	2,050 feet
Reservoir	Lake Sakakawea

Garrison Dam, located in North Dakota, United States, is a major hydroelectric power plant and a significant component of the Missouri River basin's water management system, working in conjunction with the Fort Peck Dam and Oahe Dam. The dam is operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and has a generating capacity of over 515 megawatts, making it a crucial part of the regional electricity supply, including the Western Area Power Administration and the Bonneville Power Administration. The dam's construction was a significant undertaking, involving the collaboration of various government agencies, including the Federal Power Commission and the Bureau of Reclamation. The project also had significant implications for the local Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and other Native American tribes, such as the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation.

Introduction

The Garrison Dam is situated in a region of great historical and cultural significance, with nearby attractions including the Lewis and Clark State Park and the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, which commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Mandan people. The dam's reservoir, Lake Sakakawea, is the largest lake in North Dakota and offers numerous recreational opportunities, including fishing and boating, attracting visitors from across the United States, including Minot, North Dakota, and Bismarck, North Dakota. The dam is also an important part of the regional ecosystem, supporting a wide range of wildlife, including bald eagles, white pelicans, and paddlefish, which are protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The dam's operations are closely monitored by the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure the safety of nearby communities, including Riverdale, North Dakota, and Pick City, North Dakota.

History

The concept of building a dam on the Missouri River dates back to the early 20th century, with the United States Army Corps of Engineers conducting feasibility studies in the 1920s and 1930s, in collaboration with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Federal Power Commission. The project gained momentum during World War II, with the U.S. Congress authorizing the construction of the dam in 1944, as part of the Flood Control Act of 1944, which also authorized the construction of the Fort Randall Dam and the Big Bend Dam. The dam was named after the nearby town of Garrison, North Dakota, which was relocated during the construction process, with many residents relocating to nearby Riverdale, North Dakota, and Pick City, North Dakota. The dam's construction was a significant undertaking, involving the collaboration of various government agencies, including the Federal Power Commission and the Bureau of Reclamation, as well as private contractors, such as the Bechtel Group and the Kiewit Corporation.

Construction

The construction of the Garrison Dam began in 1947 and took nearly five years to complete, with a workforce of over 4,000 laborers, including workers from the International Union of Operating Engineers and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. The dam was built using a combination of concrete and earthfill materials, with a total volume of over 25 million cubic yards, making it one of the largest dams in the United States at the time, rivaling the Grand Coulee Dam and the Hoover Dam. The dam's construction required the excavation of over 10 million cubic yards of soil and rock, with the material being used to build the dam's foundation and embankments, using techniques developed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The dam's power plant was equipped with six turbines, each capable of generating over 80 megawatts of electricity, making it a significant contributor to the regional electricity supply, including the Western Area Power Administration and the Bonneville Power Administration.

Operations

The Garrison Dam is operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, with the primary goal of controlling flooding and providing hydroelectric power to the region, in collaboration with the Western Area Power Administration and the Bonneville Power Administration. The dam's reservoir, Lake Sakakawea, is managed to maintain a stable water level, with the dam's spillways and gates being used to regulate the flow of water, using techniques developed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the National Weather Service. The dam's power plant is capable of generating over 515 megawatts of electricity, making it a significant contributor to the regional electricity supply, including the Minot, North Dakota, and Bismarck, North Dakota. The dam's operations are closely monitored by the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure the safety of nearby communities, including Riverdale, North Dakota, and Pick City, North Dakota.

Environmental Impact

The construction of the Garrison Dam had a significant impact on the local ecosystem, with the creation of Lake Sakakawea altering the natural flow of the Missouri River and affecting the habitats of various wildlife species, including bald eagles, white pelicans, and paddlefish, which are protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The dam's operations have also been criticized for their impact on the local fish population, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department working to mitigate the effects of the dam on the pallid sturgeon and other endangered species. The dam's reservoir has also been affected by invasive species, such as the zebra mussel and the Asian carp, which are being monitored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Economic Effects

The Garrison Dam has had a significant impact on the local economy, with the creation of Lake Sakakawea supporting a thriving tourism industry, attracting visitors from across the United States, including Minot, North Dakota, and Bismarck, North Dakota. The dam's power plant has also provided a significant source of electricity for the region, supporting local industry and agriculture, including the North Dakota Farmers Union and the North Dakota Stockmen's Association. The dam's construction and operation have also created jobs and stimulated economic growth in the local area, including the creation of the Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery and the Lake Sakakawea State Park. However, the dam's construction also resulted in the displacement of local communities, including the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and other Native American tribes, such as the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, which have been compensated through the Indian Claims Commission and the Tribal Trust Reform Commission.

Category:Dams in the United States