Learning Center
More Than 70 Years of Public Power
Rocky Reach Dam under construction in the mid-1950s.
Public power celebrates its heritage of service every year in October.
Chelan County PUD was created by a vote of the people in 1936.
We are honored to have served our customer-owners for more than 70 years and look forward to continuing the legacy of public power.
Here is a brief history of Chelan County PUD.
1930
Initative No. 1 passed by people of Washington, allowing PUDs.
1936
Chelan County citizens vote to create Chelan County Public Utility District No. 1 and name the first commissioners: Charles F. Keiser, W. K. McKenzie and Gust Zacker.
1947
PUD purchases an abandoned Washington Water Power (now Avista) line near Antoine Creek and brings power to the first 10 customers. First PUD employees are hired.
1948
PUD acquires Puget Sound Power and Light distribution system
1951
PUD leases part of Rock Island Dam from Puget Sound Power and Light; begins adding six generators at Powerhouse 1 to supply power for Wenatchee Works Alcoa plant
1953
Alcoa aluminum plant in full operation
1955
PUD acquires Lake Chelan distribution system and power plant from Washington Water Power (now Avista)
1956
PUD buys Rock Island Dam from Puget; files federal application for Rocky Reach Dam; starts construction
1961
First commercial power delivered from Rocky Reach Dam
1971
Rocky Reach Dam expansion of four more generators completed
1978-1995
Fourteen parks at three hydroelectric reservoirs built for $67 million under terms of FERC Exhibit R.
1979
Rock Island Powerhouse 2 completed with eight horizontal bulb turbines; reservoir level raised 6.1 feet
1980
Regional water system started from Rocky Reach aquifer
1999
Construction starts on fiber-optic communication backbone
2002-2003
Permanent juvenile fish bypass system built at Rocky Reach Dam
2006
New 50-year license for the Lake Chelan Dam issued by FERC
2009
New license for Rocky Reach Dam issued by FERC to expire in 2052