Rampart Dam

The Rampart Dam: A Giant Leap for Alaska’s Energy Future?

Imagine a project so grand that it could have transformed the landscape and economy of Alaska forever. The Rampart Dam, proposed in 1954 to dam the Yukon River, was envisioned as a massive hydroelectric power plant capable of generating up to 5 gigawatts of electricity. But what if this dream had come true? Would it have been worth the cost?

The Vision

Back in 1948, government officials began eyeing the site for its potential as a hydroelectric dam. The Rampart site was deemed capable of generating over 200,000 kilowatts of power. By 1954, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had identified it as a prime location for such a project. But could this dam have truly been the game-changer that Alaska needed?

The Feasibility Study

In April 1959, engineers began seriously considering the dam project just months after Alaska’s statehood declaration. Senator Ernest Gruening pushed for a feasibility study, which was funded in 1960 with a $2 million appropriation. The preliminary estimates suggested a cost of $900 million and the potential to generate 4.7 million kilowatts of electricity.

By March 1961, drilling operations had begun at the site, and an economic advisory board was created. The project’s estimated cost increased to $1.2 billion by June 1961. An agreement between the Corps and Department of Interior was reached in March 1962, with the Corps responsible for design and construction.

The Opposition

But not everyone saw the dam as a blessing. Conservation groups, Native Alaskans, and fiscal conservatives raised objections. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a report in April 1964 strongly opposing the dam due to concerns about destroying the Yukon Flats, a critical waterfowl breeding ground.

Stephen H. Spurr’s final report in March 1966 found that the dam was not a cost-effective investment. The Department of the Interior completed its three-volume study and created a task force to review the findings. In June 1967, the Department recommended against building the dam due to fish and wildlife losses, availability of alternatives, and lack of recreational benefits.

The Cost and Impact

Proponents argued that cheap electricity would attract industries to Alaska, create jobs, and boost tourism. But opponents pointed out high costs, potential ecological damage, and human displacement. The project was estimated to cost $2.39 billion in 1970 dollars, including construction of the physical dam ($618.4 million), power-generating equipment ($492 million), relocation of Alaskans ($15.59 million), fish and wildlife facilities ($56 million), roads and bridges ($39.7 million), and other expenses.

The reservoir would have covered an area of 10,700 square miles with a capacity of 1,300,000,000 acre-feet. The full pool length would have been about 270 miles, and the maximum width would have been 80 miles. The resulting lake would have had approximately 3,600 miles of shoreline and a total surface area of about 9,844 square miles.

The Final Verdict

Despite all the planning and support, the Rampart Dam was ultimately canceled in 1967. The controversy surrounding it highlighted the growing shift in the environmental movement during the 1960s, emphasizing the human cost of development and the importance of considering indigenous populations.

The story of the Rampart Dam serves as a reminder that sometimes, even the most ambitious projects come with unforeseen consequences. It’s a tale of dreams and reality, where the balance between progress and preservation must be carefully weighed.