A man cleaning the fishways at the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. He stands within a tall cement structure, wearing a rain suit and using a hose (negative 2 of 14).

A view of the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. An area of rocks is at the left side of the frame, in front of the cement dam structure. A raised control house can be seen at the top of the dam. Engineers at the dam were attempting to trap and save blueback salmon to strengthen the 1951 run. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, July 15, 1951 (negative 5 of 26).

A man stands on top of a structure at the McNary Dam, on a wooden walkway. The Columbia River can be seen next to the dam, in front of basalt cliffs in the distance. Above the dam is a metal crane. Engineers at the dam were attempting to trap and save blueback salmon to strengthen the 1951 run. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, July 15, 1951 (negative 4 of 26).

Workers in hard hats stand on the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. A crane can be seen above a cement tower, lined with a railing. Engineers at the dam were attempting to trap and save blueback salmon to strengthen the 1951 run. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, July 15, 1951 (negative 13 of 26).

Blueback salmon in a dipnet being lifted from the water at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. The water churns beneath the net. Engineers at the dam were attempting to trap and save blueback salmon to strengthen the 1951 run. A similar photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, July 15, 1951 (negative 23 of 26).

A fish elevator caretaker at the McNary Dam uses a net to capture blueback salmon at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. He stands in front of a pot lined with metal mesh, while holding two fish in a net. Engineers at the dam were attempting to trap and save blueback salmon to strengthen the 1951 run. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, July 15, 1951 (negative 16 of 26).

Choppy water at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. Water can be seen flowing through the cement structures into the pool below. Engineers at the dam were attempting to trap and save blueback salmon to strengthen the 1951 run. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, July 15, 1951 (negative 10 of 26).

Queens and princesses from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival at the Grand Coulee Dam for a “Water-of-all-States Ceremony,” marking the start of a new irrigation pump system. They file down a set of wooden stairs, built on a dirt hillside, as people watch from above. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 8 of 37).

Tribal members from the upper Columbia stand in front of an empty reservoir at the opening of an irrigation system at the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. Two men wear feathered headdresses, next to three women. One man extends his left arm. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 7 of 37).

An unidentified man speaks at a Grand Coulee Dam dedication ceremony, celebrating the opening of new irrigation pumps. He wears a suit and stands behind a podium and microphone. An empty reservoir can be seen in front of the speaker. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 9 of 37).

Tribal members from the upper Columbia stand in front of an empty reservoir at the opening of an irrigation system at the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. The men wear feathered headdresses at either side of the group, with three women standing in the middle. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 5 of 37).

Photograph showing the Grand Coulee Dam, taken from a high vantage point. Water is flowing down the dam spillway, with electric metal infrastructure visible in the foreground. A basalt hill is in the distance. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 26 of 37).

Queens and princesses from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival at the Grand Coulee Dam for a “Water-of-all-States Ceremony,” marking the start of a new irrigation pump system. They pour water from glass jugs into the reservoir, collected for other states within the United States. Water can be seen filling the reservoir canal. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 36 of 37).

People gathered at the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, at the start of irrigation pumping. A military band is in the foreground, with an empty cement reservoir visible in the distance. A crowd stands above a cement wall. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 5 of 37).

Adolescents ride bikes in the water at the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, on the occasion of the opening of a new irrigation system. The riders are in the water, as a seated woman watches. Basalt cliffs are in the distance. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 29 of 37).

People photographing queens and princesses from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival at the Grand Coulee Dam for a “Water-of-all-States Ceremony,” marking the start of a new irrigation pump system. They pour water from glass jugs into the reservoir, collected for other states within the United States. Water can be seen filling the reservoir canal. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 24 of 37).

Water pumps at the Grand Coulee Dam, photographed during an opening dedication event. An upper walkway lines one side of the long room, with equipment visible from below. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 22 of 37).

A feeder canal moving water from the Grand Coulee Dam to a large reservoir. Slanted cement walls are on either side of the canal, with basalt rock formations above. People can be seen walking along the top of the wall. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 23 of 37).

A new irrigation reservoir being filled at the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. People can be seen observing behind upper railings, during a dedication ceremony for the new system. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 14 of 37).

A man stands on a low cement wall at the Grand Coulee Dam, during a ceremony marking the start of a new irrigation pump system. Water appears to be flowing into a feeder canal into a larger large area, with basalt cliffs visible throughout the scene. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 18 of 37).

An aerial view of the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, showing the start of irrigation pumps. Water is flowing from the containment lake above the dam, with rock formations and cliffs visible in the distance. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 1 of 37).

Queens and princesses from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival at the Grand Coulee Dam for a “Water-of-all-States Ceremony,” marking the start of a new irrigation pump system. They pour water from glass jugs into the reservoir, collected for other states within the United States. Water can be seen filling the reservoir canal. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Friday, June 15, 1951 (negative 17 of 37).

Construction at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. Water can be seen at the base of the spillway bays, with the dam structure in various stages of construction with wood and cement. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 5 of 42).

A McNary Dam construction worker sits on the running board of an automobile, smoking a cigarette. He wears a safety hat and is seated next to a group of workers that appear to be talking to one another. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 40 of 42).

A partially completed cofferdam at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. Water can be seen flowing through the wooden structures, which appear to be filled with pieces of stone. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 6 of 42).

A partially completed spillway bay at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. A wooden stairway has been constructed up the side of the structure, with wood and rebar visible at the top. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 7 of 42).

Construction workers on the McNary Dam build project on the Columbia River. The men are wearing hard hats and vests, and appear to be talking in a group. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 32 of 42).

An overhead view of construction at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. The structure is built of wood, rebar, and cement, with the water visible in the distance. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 23 of 42).