Wickiup Lake (Astoria) dam
Wickiup Lake (Astoria)
Wickiup Lake in Astoria, Oregon, is a vital water resource managed by the local government for water supply purposes. Completed in 1940, this earth dam stands at 30 feet high and spans 1300 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 340 acre-feet. The lake covers 26 acres and is fed by Bear Creek, serving as a crucial source of water for the surrounding community.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Wickiup Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its location and design. The dam features a slide-type outlet gate for water release and has a maximum discharge capacity of 39 cubic feet per second. Regular inspections are carried out to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure, with the last assessment conducted in August 2020. The local regulatory agency, OWRD, oversees permitting, inspection, and enforcement efforts to manage the dam effectively.
Water enthusiasts and climate advocates can appreciate Wickiup Lake for its role in providing reliable water supply to the area while also recognizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks. With its picturesque setting and critical function, Wickiup Lake serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Wickiup Lake (Astoria) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Naselle River Near Naselle | 99 cfs | → |
| Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Nr Quincy | 70,400 cfs | → |
| Nehalem River Near Vernonia | 51 cfs | → |
| Nehalem River Near Foss | 458 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chehalis River Near Wildwood | 56 cfs | → |
| Cowlitz River At Castle Rock | 7,550 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wickiup Lake (Astoria).
Boat launches
- Astor Drive Clatsop County
- Aldrich Point Boat Ramp
- Kerry West Marina
- 17th Street Transient Dock
- West Mooring Basin
- Pope-Meeker Drift Boat Access
Campgrounds
- Nicoli Mnt Ohv ( Lookout Rock Quarry )
- Saddle Mountain Campground
- Saddle Mountain State Park
- Elochoman Slough Marina
- Skamokawa Vista City Park
- Fort Stevens State Park Campground
Paddle runs
Track Wickiup Lake (Astoria) in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Wickiup Lake (Astoria)
Where does the data for Wickiup Lake (Astoria) come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Wickiup Lake (Astoria).