---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 832"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "832"
heading: "Completion and maintenance of project; generation of electricity"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/832"
units:
  - "Chapter 12B — Bonneville Project"
---

# §832. Completion and maintenance of project; generation of electricity


For the purpose of improving navigation on the Columbia River, and for other purposes incidental thereto, the dam, locks, power plant, and appurtenant works under construction on August 20, 1937, at Bonneville, Oregon and North Bonneville, Washington (called Bonneville [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) in this chapter), shall be completed, maintained, and operated under the direction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army and the supervision of the Chief of Engineers, subject to the provisions of this chapter relating to the powers and duties of the Bonneville power [administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) provided for in [section 832a(a) of this title](/usc/16/832a.md?p=a) (called the [administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) in this chapter) respecting the transmission and sale of electric energy generated at said [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4). The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Army shall provide, construct, operate, maintain, and improve at Bonneville [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) such machinery, equipment, and facilities for the generation of electric energy as the [administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) may deem necessary to develop such electric energy as rapidly as markets may be found therefor. The electric energy thus generated and not required for the operation of the dam and locks at such [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) and the navigation facilities employed in connection therewith shall be delivered to the [administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a), for disposition as provided in this chapter.


## Source credit

(Aug. 20, 1937, ch. 720, § 1, 50 Stat. 731; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, § 205(a), 61 Stat. 501.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted “Title 10, Armed Forces” which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of a Secretary of the Army.

### Short Title

Act Aug. 20, 1937, ch. 720, 50 Stat. 731, which enacted this chapter, is popularly known as the “Bonneville Project Act of 1937”.

### Transfer of Functions

Functions of Secretary of the Interior with respect to Bonneville Power Administration transferred to Secretary of Energy by section 7152(a)(1)(D), (2) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, with Bonneville Power Administration to be preserved as a distinct organizational entity within Department of Energy and headed by an Administrator.