Rose Antonino Grand Coulee Dam photograph album, circa 1934-1935

Located in east central Washington State on the Columbia River, the Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric facility in North America and the largest concrete structure in the United States. It is used for flood control, river regulation, irrigation, and hydroelectric power production. Built during 1933 to 1942 as part of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project , the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam was authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a project under the Public Works Administration. Initial excavation of the dam site began in December of 1933 with work toward improving the local infrastructure. By 1941 the main dam was essentially finished with construction of the powerhouses and pumping plant underway.