Spokane River levels are temporarily reduced by approximately 2 feet east of Upriver Dam due to necessary repairs. View the Upriver Dam repair map.
The City of Spokane's Water Department owns and operates the Upriver Hydroelectric Dam on the Spokane River. Upriver Dam, a concrete gravity dam, relies on its weight to withstand water pressure and uplift. Operating in "run-of-the-river" mode, the dam has minimal water storage and is affected by seasonal river flows.
Originally built in 1894 and rebuilt in concrete in 1936, Upriver Dam was further upgraded in the 1980s. It generates over 70 million kilowatt-hours annually, powering the pumps that deliver up to 150 million gallons of drinking water daily to over 230,000 residents. Excess power is sold to Avista Utilities, Spokane's local power provider.
Take the Upriver Dam 360° Virtual Tour
Follow a tour guide on a walk through the facility and at each stop, you can look all around as you learn a little history, hear how things work and meet a few of the Water Department's skilled staff.
If you'd like to visit Upriver in person, you can call 509.742.8141 or email UpriverDam@spokanecity.org to schedule a tour.
