Moran Slough Dike dam
Moran Slough Dike
Moran Slough Dike is a crucial structure located in Richland, Washington, designed and constructed by Harza Engineering in 1964. This earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 600 feet, serving primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.5 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
Situated in Grant County, Washington, Moran Slough Dike is subject to state jurisdiction and regulation by the Department of Ecology. The dam's primary purpose of supporting fish and wildlife habitats underscores its importance in maintaining ecological balance in the area. While the dam has not been significantly modified over the years, its moderate risk assessment rating highlights the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures. With a history of state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, the Moran Slough Dike stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of public utility agencies in safeguarding water resources and climate resilience in the region.
As part of the Seattle District, Moran Slough Dike's location along the Moran Slough river stream contributes to its significant role in water management. With its uncontrolled spillway type and stone core, the dam represents a blend of traditional engineering principles and modern regulatory standards. The presence of emergency action plans and regular inspections further demonstrate the commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Moran Slough Dike serves as a prime example of sustainable infrastructure designed to balance conservation efforts with the needs of the local ecosystem.
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 Moran Slough Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam | 149,000 cfs | → |
| Crab Creek Near Beverly | 180 cfs | → |
| Granger Drain At Granger | 44 cfs | → |
| Yakima River Above Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 2,580 cfs | → |
| Yakima River At Mabton | 4,700 cfs | → |
| Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moran Slough Dike.
Boat launches
- Road 26 Southwest Desert Aire
- Vernita Bridge 96, Mattawa
- Franklin County
- North Meyers Road 2842, Toppenish
- North Harrington Road 113600, Richland
- North State Route 225 Benton County
Track Moran Slough Dike 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 Moran Slough Dike
Where does the data for Moran Slough Dike 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 Low 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 Moran Slough Dike.