Discovering Public Power in Eastern Washington. 

When you have young kids (or grandkids) you are always looking for things that are fun and educational. Anytime we made a trip to Seattle we had to go to the Seattle Science Center. Closer to home we have the Chelan County PUD Rocky Reach Discovery Center. 

We used to go to the discovery center to watch the salmon run up the fish ladder. I have a friend who worked for a short time for the PUD at the dam counting salmon. Yes, all day counting salmon. 

The Discovery Center at Rocky Reach Dam is completely re-done and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  You will find hands-on exhibits, displays, and interactive exhibits. 

The Chelan County PUD was created by Chelan County voters back in 1936 and delivered its first electric power to a small group of rural customers 11 years later. 

In 1936 the debate around public power was for the most part polarized between left-wing and right-wing ideology with the more conservative group thinking that “public power” was equated with communism. At the time editorials from the Wenatchee World newspaper helped to make public power possible in Chelan County. 

I recently spent some time touring the Discovery Center at Rocky Reach Dam and had a chance to check out the all-new exhibits. Right now the fish ladder is not running but the combination of movies, static displays, and interactive displays will help to teach the visitors more about hydro-power and the river we live near. 

Please check out Discovery Center at Rocky Reach Dam.