View source for Wells Dam

{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2012}}
{{Infobox dam
| name                 = Wells Dam
| image                = Columbia River - Wells Dam aerial 01A.jpg
| image_caption        =
| name_official        =
| dam_crosses          = [[Columbia River]]
| res_name             = [[Lake Pateros]]
| location             = [[Chelan County, Washington|Chelan]] / [[Douglas County, Washington|Douglas]] counties, [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| operator             = [[Douglas County Public Utility District]]
| dam_length           =
| dam_height           =
| dam_width_base       =
| construction_began   =
| opening              = August 22, 1967
| demolished           =
| cost                 =
| res_capacity_total   = {{convert|331200|acre feet|km3|abbr=on}}
| res_catchment        =
| res_surface          =
| plant_turbines       = 10 <ref name=eia>{{cite web | url=https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860M/ | publisher=U.S. Energy Information Administration | title=Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory | accessdate=17 April 2021 }}</ref>
| plant_capacity       = 840 MW <ref name=eia/>
| plant_annual_gen     = 
| coordinates          = {{coord|47|56|43.44|N|119|51|57.6|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| extra                =
}}

'''Wells Dam''' is a [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] [[embankment dam]] located on the [[Columbia River]], downstream from the confluence of the [[Okanogan River]], [[Methow River]], and the Columbia River in [[Washington (state)|Washington state]]. The dam, associated structures, and machinery make up the Wells Hydroelectric Project. It is owned and operated by [[Douglas County Public Utility District]].

[[Image:Wells Dam from Azwell WA.jpg|thumb|left|The yellow cranes and other equipment are part of Wells Dam]]
It has produced electricity since August 22, 1967. Its operating license from the US [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] is next up for renewal in 2052.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/nov/13/wells-dam-gets-new-40-year-license/ | work=The Wenatchee World | title=Wells Dam gets new 40-year license | date=2013-05-30 | accessdate=May 31, 2018 | author=Christine Pratt }}</ref> The Wells project has ten generating units rated at a combined 840 megawatts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Douglas County PUD Wells Dam|url=https://douglaspud.org/wells-project/wells-dam|access-date=2021-09-09|website=douglaspud.org}}</ref> In addition to the Douglas County and Okanogan County public utility districts, the project provides electricity to [[Puget Sound Energy]], [[Portland General Electric]], [[PacifiCorp]], [[Avista Corporation]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fwee.org/wells-hydroelectric-project/ | publisher=Foundation for Water & Energy Education | title=Wells Hydroelectric Project | accessdate=December 18, 2021 }}</ref> and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hydroleadermagazine.com/cody-desautel-how-the-confederated-tribes-of-the-colville-reservation-balance-hydropower-and-natural-resource-protection/ | publisher=Hydro Leader | title=How the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Balance Hydropower and Natural Resource Protection | date=December 14, 2021 | accessdate=December 18, 2021 }}</ref>

Its reservoir is named [[Lake Pateros]]. Just below and adjacent is [[Carpenter Island]] boat launch and fish hatchery river access. Lake Pateros is not deep but a high volume of water moves through it. Thus, low-head, high-volume [[Kaplan turbine]] runners drive generation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.toshiba.com/taes/services/hydro-turbine-generator-services/rehabilitation-technologies/wells-dam-rehabilitation-project | publisher=Toshiba America Energy Systems Corp. | title=Wells Dam Rehabilitation Project | accessdate=May 31, 2018 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|United States|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
*[[List of dams in the Columbia River watershed]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Columbia River dams |dam=Wells Dam| downriver=[[Rocky Reach Dam]]|upriver=[[Chief Joseph Dam]]}}
{{Crossings navbox
|structure       = [[List of crossings of the Columbia River|Crossings]]
|place           = [[Columbia River]]
|bridge          = Wells Dam
|bridge signs    =
|upstream        = [[Brewster Bridge]]
|upstream signs  =
|downstream      = [[Beebe Bridge]]
|downstream signs = }}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Chelan County, Washington]]
[[Category:Dams on the Columbia River]]
[[Category:Dams in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Douglas County, Washington]]
[[Category:Hydroelectric power plants in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:United States local public utility dams]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1967]]
[[Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1967]]
[[Category:Gravity dams]]
[[Category:1967 establishments in Washington (state)]]