Work on the dam was started in March 1959 and completed in December 1962. Dedication ceremony by President John F. Kennedy in October 1963. Construction of the powerhouse and switchyard was completed in July 1964.

Prime Contractor:  Morrison-Knudsen

Total Cost of Project including dam, powerhouse, dikes, land, moving cemeteries, etc. $47.5 Million.  Today's cost would be a couple hundred million dollars.

Pressure on upstream side of dam - 100 lbs./sq. in., it would take nearly twice that much pressure to turn dam over.