A century ago, the Sandy River basin consisted of pristine stands of cottonwood and ash, picturesque hillsides and rivers busy with fish. Early Oregonians picnicked there, fished and picked blackberries.

As more people ventured to Oregon, building homes and starting businesses in and around Portland, the region grew, and with it the energy needs of its expanding population.

Marmot Dam was built in 1913 to help supply these needs as part of the larger Bull Run hydro project, begun in 1906 by the Mt. Hood Company.

At nearly 50 feet in height, Marmot Dam was designed to supply the majority of the project's water (continued)