Wells Dam
title: "Wells Dam" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["buildings-and-structures-in-chelan-county,-washington", "dams-on-the-columbia-river", "dams-in-washington-(state)", "buildings-and-structures-in-douglas-county,-washington", "hydroelectric-power-plants-in-washington-(state)", "united-states-local-public-utility-dams", "dams-completed-in-1967", "energy-infrastructure-completed-in-1967", "gravity-dams", "1967-establishments-in-washington-(state)"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wells_Dam" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox dam"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Wells Dam |
| image | Columbia River - Wells Dam aerial 01A.jpg |
| dam_crosses | Columbia River |
| res_name | Lake Pateros |
| location | Chelan / Douglas counties, Washington |
| operator | Douglas County Public Utility District |
| opening | August 22, 1967 |
| res_capacity_total | 331200 acre feet |
| plant_turbines | 10 |
| plant_capacity | 840 MW |
| coordinates | |
| :: |
| name = Wells Dam | image = Columbia River - Wells Dam aerial 01A.jpg | image_caption = | name_official = | dam_crosses = Columbia River | res_name = Lake Pateros | location = Chelan / Douglas counties, Washington | operator = Douglas County Public Utility District | dam_length = | dam_height = | dam_width_base = | construction_began = | opening = August 22, 1967 | demolished = | cost = | res_capacity_total = 331200 acre feet | res_catchment = | res_surface = | plant_turbines = 10 | plant_capacity = 840 MW | plant_annual_gen = | coordinates = | extra =
Wells Dam is a hydroelectric embankment dam located on the Columbia River, downstream from the confluence of the Okanogan River, Methow River, and the Columbia River in Washington state. The dam, associated structures, and machinery make up the Wells Hydroelectric Project. It is owned and operated by Douglas County Public Utility District.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Wells_Dam_from_Azwell_WA.jpg" caption="The yellow cranes and other equipment are part of Wells Dam"] ::
It has produced electricity since August 22, 1967. Its operating license from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is next up for renewal in 2052. The Wells project has ten generating units rated at a combined 840 megawatts. In addition to the Douglas County and Okanogan County public utility districts, the project provides electricity to Puget Sound Energy, Portland General Electric, PacifiCorp, Avista Corporation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
Its reservoir is named Lake Pateros. Just below and adjacent is Carpenter Island boat launch and fish hatchery river access. Lake Pateros is not deep but a high volume of water moves through it. Thus, low-head, high-volume Kaplan turbine runners drive generation.
References
|structure = Crossings |place = Columbia River |bridge = Wells Dam |bridge signs = |upstream = Brewster Bridge |upstream signs = |downstream = Beebe Bridge |downstream signs = }}
References
- "Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory". U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- Christine Pratt. (2013-05-30). "Wells Dam gets new 40-year license". The Wenatchee World.
- "Douglas County PUD Wells Dam".
- "Wells Hydroelectric Project". Foundation for Water & Energy Education.
- (December 14, 2021). "How the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Balance Hydropower and Natural Resource Protection". Hydro Leader.
- "Wells Dam Rehabilitation Project". Toshiba America Energy Systems Corp..
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