Boundary Hydroelectric Project

Boundary Dam is located on the Pend Oreille River near the city of Metaline Falls, Washington. The project's federal license includes measures that mitigate the impacts of Boundary's operations on recreational, fisheries, land, cultural, and wildlife resources.

Preserving and Managing Fisheries

City Light implements a wide range of measures focused on the protection, mitigation and enhancement of native fish populations in the Boundary Dam vicinity. These measures have been developed using innovative research and are being implemented in the mainstem Pend Oreille River and over 250 square miles of tributaries draining into Boundary Reservoir. Efforts involve non-native fish suppression and eradication, habitat enhancement, operation of a native fish conservation facility, native fish restoration, support for federally endangered species recovery, and a recreational fishing program.

Learn more about our Tributary Aquatic Habitat Program.

Read our Fish and Aquatics Management Plan to learn more.

Land and Wildlife Habitat Protection

We are committed to protecting and enhancing the land and wildlife resources affected by Boundary Project operations. Measures we implement include:

• Shoreline erosion, monitoring and treatment
• Weed management
• Protection of rare, threatened, and endangered plants
• Wildlife monitoring
• Management of Project Habitat Lands that provide areas for a variety of wildlife species
• Environmental awareness and education for staff and recreationists

Read our Terrestrial Resources Management Plan to learn more.

Cultural Resource Preservation

We work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Kalispel Tribe of Indians and consult with the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and the Federal Energy Regulation Commission to protect cultural resources throughout the Boundary Project area. The measures we implement include:

• Evaluating proposed activities for their potential to affect historic properties
• Monitoring cultural site conditions
• Conducting archaeological surveys
• Implementing site protection and data recovery activities

In 2018, the Boundary Project was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Recreational Opportunities

The Boundary Project occupies a highly scenic, uncrowded setting that offers many outdoor recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, sightseeing, picnicking, camping and much more.

• Boundary Dam Tours offer a look into the massive limestone cavern where our Visitor's Gallery is located.
• The Forebay Recreation Area at Boundary Dam is now open after substantial improvements to the campground, day use area and boat launch. It offers 22 campsites (including RV and car sites), flush toilets and potable water areas with hook-ups, dump stations and showers. Sites also have fire rings and picnic tables, as well as BBQ grills and a boat launch.
• The Metaline Waterfront Park, owned and operated by the town of Metaline, has been updated by City Light and now includes a boat launch, boarding float, kayak ramp and parking. Also added is a new group shelter with fire pit, playground equipment, a restroom building, landscaping and a wooden bridge across Linton Creek that runs through the middle of the park. All improvements were built with accessibility in mind.
• The Vista House, built in 1965, provides panoramic views of the dam and surrounding landscape. It provides interpretive displays, restrooms, and a picnic area.
• Additional recreational sites along the reservoir shoreline provide opportunities for camping, fishing and day use. City Light is developing a new portage trail near the falls in 2022 to provide non-motorized boaters an alternative to avoiding the rapids at the falls.
• The canyon reach area of the reservoir between Metaline Falls and Boundary Dam offers spectacular views of geology and steep rock faces, wildlife, dense forest vegetation, nearby mountains and waterfalls (including Peewee Falls). City Light is constructing two new viewpoints and trailheads along the eastern ridge of the canyon, complete with parking and restrooms by 2021. For hiking enthusiasts, we are also constructing a new 4-6-mile trail connecting the Peewee Falls and Riverside Mine Canyon viewpoints by 2023.

For more information about recreational opportunities, please contact us at (509) 446-3083 and select option 9, or SCL_Recreation@seattle.gov.