Reopening of Visitor Area at Rocky Reach Dam Inches Closer

The finishing touches are being put on updated an visitor section of the Rocky Reach Dam north of Wenatchee.

The Chelan PUD runs the dam, and has spent almost $8 million to remodel and rebrand the visitor area as the Rocky Reach Discovery Center.

Visitor Service Manager said Debbie Gallaher says they're expanding operations with the goal of vastly boosting attendance.

"We used to be seasonal," said Gallaher. "Eight months out of nthe year we were open, and we would average anywhere from 38,000 to 41,000 people. Our hope is we are drawing double or triple that amount."

The Dam's visitor center originally opened in 1962 to help tell the story of the Columbia River and Hydroelectric power.

The updated center is focused on interactive displays that feature video and audio content.

Displays are organized around themes including the “Living River,” “The People’s Power,” “Hydro Health” and “Fish Tales.”

The Chelan County PUD's website says the center's remodel has created about a third more display space in the same footprint.

The center has a new entry and improvements to its three , floors, including a new roof over the outdoor patio and remodeled cafe.

There are also three mini theaters available on each floor.

The section where visitors can view fish traveling through the dam now has large windows, which replace small cramped portals.

Gallaher says the project involved exhaustive upgrades to every part of the building.

'We had to redo all the mechanical, the plumbing, the electrical, and then exhibits, the design,the construction, the install, all of it," said Gallaher.

The Discovery Center at Rocky Reach Dam is scheduled to open August 28.

It's daily hours of operation will be 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, year-round. The center was previously open on a seasonal basis. Admission is free.