Dam!

Northwest RiverPartners
  • 5.0 (17)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Dam!

Welcome to the official podcast of Northwest hydropower! Yes, you read that right. We’ll be covering hydropower, plus energy and environmental issues, while sharing the stories of the most interesting folks you’ve probably never heard of—from salmon scientists and policymakers to the heroes of public power. Now fire up those water-powered devices and get to listening! Hosted by Austin Rohr. A Northwest RiverPartners production.

  1. 12H AGO

    Ep.46 "POWERING ON" Grant PUD's history in the words of John Harrison

    On this very special episode of the podcast, we're joined by Grant PUD's senior manager of external affairs and communications, Chuck Allen. He shares the story of their recently released history book, "POWERING ON: The can-do legacy driving Grant PUD into the future by Grant PUD." While the history alone is fascinating, Chuck also wanted to celebrate the legacy and memory of it's author, John Harrison, who sadly passed away earlier this year. You can read the excellent book by following the link below: https://www.flipsnack.com/55A6559BDC9/powering-on-the-can-do-legacy-driving-grant-pud-into-the-future/full-view.html

    1h 15m

  2. JUN 4

    Ep.45 Not your average port

    Dam! heads to the mighty Palouse to get the scoop on the Port of Whitman County. Executive director Kara Riebold and commissioner Kristine Meyer make the perfect duo to tell the story of multi-modal transportation, recreation, improvements to the community, and of course, the value of the river system.

    44 min

  3. APR 3

    Hydro 101: Lock in on locks

    Class is in session! The fifth episode of Hydro 101, a sub-series of the Dam! podcast, has arrived. Hydro 101 aims to provide you with a fundamental understanding of hydropower and how it interacts with energy and the environment–particularly in the Northwest. This episode explores the infrastructure responsible for solving vertical challenges on the water, the lock, from the historical development of the technology to an explanation of how a modern lock works like a water elevator.

    18 min

  4. MAR 5

    Ep. 44 Fight for the system

    The Columbia-Snake river system, that is. Neil Maunu, executive director at the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, gives us the rundown on the integrated system of infrastructure that makes the Columbia and Snake rivers navigable. From locks and dams to dredging and jetties, it's an all hands on deck operation that provides critical services well-beyond just the Northwest, and on this episode we cover it all.

    1h 2m

  5. JAN 24

    Ep.43 Wheat's the big deal?

    There's a unique relationship between agriculture and hydropower that we've yet to fully explore on the podcast. That all changes with this latest episode, as Michelle Hennings from the Washington Association of Wheat Growers–a farmer herself–joins the podcast to discuss the multitude of benefits the dams provide to rural communities.

    52 min

  6. 11/29/2024

    Ep.42 Dam! Year in Review

    With Dam! winding down for 2024, we wanted to spend some time revisiting an incredible year of storytelling. You'll hear snippets from a handful of episodes, starting with our most-listened to of the year, that capture some of the most impactful moments shared on the podcast. For both those who missed these episodes or haven't heard them in sometime, we think you'll enjoy what we've put together.

    58 min

  7. 11/08/2024

    Ep.41 Salmon rejoice! Reintroduction on the Green River

    While we love hydropower stories, we know that dams serve a multitude of purposes. In fact, many dams generate no power whatsoever. And, likewise, the community-owned, not-for-profit utilities that serve the Northwest offer more than energy. What remains the same is the universal commitment to environmental stewardship and collaborative solutions that benefit all. Today, we explore the story behind the non-powered Howard Hanson dam and the effort to bring fish passage to it–allowing salmon to return to spawning habitat in the Green River. To tell that story, we connected with the interim superintendent of Tacoma Water, Heather Pennington, to get the full scoop on this huge win for salmon. To learn more about the project's progress from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, start your journey here.

    48 min

  8. 10/25/2024

    Ep.40 Telling "The Whole Dam Story"

    Just hearing mention of the four lower Snake River dams can stir up strong feelings for people who fall on either side of the debate over their future. Yet, it's rare to find someone who's actually stood atop–or within–these dams and spoken with the people who work at them at length. Ryan Hall, communications director at the Montana Electric Cooperatives Association and editor for Rural Montana, made it his mission to do exactly that and report what he found to communities across Montana. The four-part series, "The Whole Dam Story," is the product of that work, and the 40th episode of the podcast tells the story behind "The Whole Dam Story."

    1h 14m
See All (51)

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Welcome to the official podcast of Northwest hydropower! Yes, you read that right. We’ll be covering hydropower, plus energy and environmental issues, while sharing the stories of the most interesting folks you’ve probably never heard of—from salmon scientists and policymakers to the heroes of public power. Now fire up those water-powered devices and get to listening! Hosted by Austin Rohr. A Northwest RiverPartners production.

Information

  • Creator
    Northwest RiverPartners
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Northwest RiverPartners
  • Show Website
    Dam!

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