WENATCHEE – Two Wenatchee Valley College students made waves Monday with a prototype that would modernize how Dryden Dam operates. Dillon Cornelius and Juan Martinez worked with Chelan PUD engineers to design a new operating system that the students demonstrated for commissioners using a 3D model and physical prototype.

Dryden Dam is a low-head weir that spans the Wenatchee River. The weir supports local agriculture by diverting water into the Highline Irrigation Canal. The weir also includes a fish ladder and two fish-trapping systems that support salmon research and hatchery programs for Chelan PUD, Grant PUD and Yakama Nation.

The weir’s current operating system relies on a rubber bladder that is pumped with river water to regulate water levels in the irrigation canal and provide attraction water for fish collection.

Cornelius learned about Dryden Dam as a student employee at Chelan PUD last year. During a dam safety inspection with staff, Cornelius asked about potential capstone projects for his senior year. Cornelius and his study partner, Juan Martinez, were intrigued by the challenge to modernize Dryden Dam’s decades-old mechanics with an electromechanical control system, improved data collection and automation.

“As graduates from WVC's engineering program, I'm incredibly proud of how Dillon and Juan have put their heart and soul into this project,” said Dr. Sai Ramaswamy, faculty and program coordinator for engineering technology. “Dillon and Juan have applied what they've learned in our engineering program to benefit our community."

Chelan PUD hires an average of five college students a year for a variety of fields, including engineering, business analytics, information technology and energy conservation. Student employment opportunities are typically posted between February to early May at chelanpud.org/careers.

“I would like to congratulate you on a project well thought out and well implemented,” Commissioner Garry Arseneault said on Monday. “The students coming before the board are impressive. This is fabulous. I’m enthused to see the quality and level of students graduating from Wenatchee Valley College.”

Dillon Cornelius and Juan Martinez with their model of Dryden Dam improvements. 


Dryden Dam