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Drone Rules for Grand Coulee Dam

Coulee Dam, Washington (wa) • United States
Grand Coulee Dam, Coulee Dam, WA 99116, USA
Lat: 47.9566 • Lng: -118.981

Rules Edit History: Grand Coulee Dam

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May 30, 2026 11:23 AM Approved • Added permanent drone prohibition for Grand Coulee Dam with Bureau of Reclamation authority, 6,809 MW capacity, and Lake Roosevelt NRA NPS adjacency.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
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Approved Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit detailing the permanent drone prohibition over Grand Coulee Dam has been approved. This aligns with the Bureau of Reclamation's regulations, which state that the top of Grand Coulee Dam is closed to public access, both vehicular and pedestrian. The added context regarding the dam's status as the largest hydroelectric facility in the U.S. and its adjacency to the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area enhances understanding of the area's drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
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Flight status Unknown NoFly
Summary — Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River is the largest hydroelectric facility in the US and subject to a permanent FAA no-fly zone. Bureau of Reclamation strictly prohibits all drone operations over this critical infrastructure.
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## Drone Rules - Grand Coulee Dam

**All drone operations are permanently prohibited** over Grand Coulee Dam and immediate vicinity under Bureau of Reclamation critical infrastructure security protocols.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Grand Coulee Airport (KGUE) Class G uncontrolled airspace ~5 miles south
- Dam is 550 ft tall and 5,223 ft wide; generates 6,809 MW — largest US hydroelectric facility
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake (Lake Roosevelt) extends 150 miles behind the dam
- Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area NPS boundaries adjacent

### Key Rules
- Permanent FAA no-fly zone over dam structure; violations are federal crimes
- Bureau of Reclamation law enforcement on site 24/7
- NPS 36 CFR 1.5 applies to Lake Roosevelt NRA portions
- Washington state critical infrastructure law prohibits UAS over power-generating facilities

### Source
- Bureau of Reclamation: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee
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+ ## Drone Rules - Grand Coulee Dam
+ 
+ **All drone operations are permanently prohibited** over Grand Coulee Dam and immediate vicinity under Bureau of Reclamation critical infrastructure security protocols.
+ 
+ ### Airspace / Site Context
+ - Grand Coulee Airport (KGUE) Class G uncontrolled airspace ~5 miles south
+ - Dam is 550 ft tall and 5,223 ft wide; generates 6,809 MW — largest US hydroelectric facility
+ - Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake (Lake Roosevelt) extends 150 miles behind the dam
+ - Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area NPS boundaries adjacent
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - Permanent FAA no-fly zone over dam structure; violations are federal crimes
+ - Bureau of Reclamation law enforcement on site 24/7
+ - NPS 36 CFR 1.5 applies to Lake Roosevelt NRA portions
+ - Washington state critical infrastructure law prohibits UAS over power-generating facilities
+ 
+ ### Source
+ - Bureau of Reclamation: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee
+
May 27, 2026 2:53 AM Approved • Rollback user history: Incorrect link
Author: jaystechvault (11074)
Moderation feedback
Administrative rollback audit entry.
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Rule category Air Ground
Flight status Permission Unknown
Summary Drone flights restricted near dam. Permission required. —
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This is one of the largest dams in the U.S. and critical for power and water control. Drone activity near the structure creates serious safety and security risks.
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- This is one of the largest dams in the U.S. and critical for power and water control. Drone activity near the structure creates serious safety and security risks.