Ross Lake and the Three Hydroelectric Dams

Heading back from our trip to the Northern Cascade Mountain Range, we follow Washington State Route 20 over Washington Pass and back down the western side of the mountains, visiting some of the dams and trails on the Pacific side of the mountains.

We pass many logging trucks along the way, carrying fresh-cut trees to the mills.

Logging truck

We stop briefly at Ross Lake and Ross Dam, one of the world's highest arch dams at 540 feet (165 meters).  The dam is one of three (Gorge, Diablo, and Ross) built between 1919 and 1961 to produce electricity for the Seattle area.

Ross Lake and Ross Dam

Diablo Dam

Along the road, we find lots of tall waterfalls, carrying water down the mountain into the rivers and lakes.

Waterfalls along the way

We make another stop at the Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem, walking the trails alongside the dam and admiring the waterfalls.

Gorge Powerhouse

More waterfalls

This has been an interesting visit to the dams and powerhouses that provide about 40 percent of Seattle's power.