An aerial view showing the Willamette River in Oregon City, looking south. A dam can be seen at Willamette Falls, with a Portland General Electric hydroelectric power plant visible on the right side of the river. Roads are on either side of the river. Photographed with a K-25 camera (negative 2 of 14).

Excavation at the McNary Dam site on the Columbia River, most likely in preparation for the construction of a powerhouse on the Oregon side. Heavy equipment and workers can be seen in a rocky pit. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 13 of 42).

Workers during construction of the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. A crane is lowering a large unit, which is being guided by several workers wearing safety hats. They stand on a structure made of wood and rebar. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 21 of 42).

An overhead view of construction at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. The river extends into the distance, while a dirt berm is being constructed at the center of the frame. At the bottom is a dam structure built of wood, rebar and cement. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 24 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).

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).

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).

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).

An aerial view showing the Willamette River in Oregon City, looking south. The Oregon City Arch Bridge crosses the Willamette River, to the west of Main Street. Willamette Falls, and a Portland General Electric dam and hydroelectric power plant can be seen on the river to the south of the bridge. Streets and houses in a grid pattern are on the east side of the river. Photographed with a K-25 camera (negative 3 of 14).

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).

Photograph taken from a distance showing Dam 1 at Bull Run. A decorative railing, gatehouse, and light posts can be seen at the top of the dam, beyond which a reservoir can be seen (negative 26 of 31).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

People working on the McNary Dam on the Columbia River, between Oregon and Washington. A portion of the dam is framed in by wood, with rebar in place for cement. Workers are standing on top of the structure. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 2 of 42).

A launderette near the Columbia River, photographed during construction of the McNary Dam. The “Launderette” building is in an open grassy area, with a sign reading “Launderette rough dry, wet or finish” sign in the foreground. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 20 of 42).

A fish ladder being built at the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. Taken from a high angle and looking downward, wood and rebar can be seen throughout the scene, with the river visible in the distance. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 22 of 42).

A worker during the construction of the McNary Dam on the Columbia River. The man wears a hard hat and is standing in front of a mechanical unit with multiple levers. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Sunday, April 30, 1950 (negative 29 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).

Photograph taken from the top of Dam 1 at Bull Run. The dam features a decorative railing, gatehouse, and light posts along the top. At the center of the dam are three closed gates. A logged hillside can be seen in the background (negative 11 of 31).

Cascading water viewed from inside a doorway at Bull Run. Likely taken from a dam structure, water can be seen flowing down a river surrounded by trees (negative 17 of 31).

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).