Hydropower a crucial energy resource for WA

A few weeks ago, I was enjoying a nice dinner at Anthony’s restaurant in Spokane, and as I sat on the terrace, I couldn’t help but marvel at the massive amount of water flowing over the Spokane Falls. I also couldn’t help but think about the potential flooding that would take place in Eastern Washington this year were it not for our dams.

While the Mississippi River and its tributaries are currently spilling over their banks and levees, Eastern Washington is mostly safe from such a disaster. That’s because of our dams. Before the dams were built, our region was prone to periodic flooding. In 1...