The Columbia Basin Project, including Grand Coulee Dam, was designed to supply irrigation water from the Columbia River to the dry lands of eastern Washington state. The dam also harnessed the power of the river to supply electricity to the Pacific Northwest. Irrigation and cheap hydroelectric power stimulated the growth of both agriculture and industry throughout the region.

This photo, taken in March 1941, shows the west side of Grand Coulee Dam and its powerhouse. The waters of the river passed through the powerhouse, turning the large turbines which generated electricity.

Written on original envelope: Grand Coulee Dam - general
Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): March 30, 1941