At its completion, Grand Coulee Dam was publicized by the Bureau of Reclamation as "The World's Largest Power Plant." Almost half of the hydro-electric power of the Pacific Northwest was generated and distributed here through a massive system of substations. To advertise the benefits of public- versus private-power distribution, the federal government hired Woody Guthrie to write and perform folk songs advocating the blessings of public power. "Roll On Columbia" was one of his most well-known songs. (Special Collections Division, University of Washington Libraries.)

Return to Lesson nineteen.