Upper Falls Intake Dam dam
Upper Falls Intake Dam
The Upper Falls Intake Dam, located in Spokane, Washington, is a privately owned structure designed by Washington Water Power and completed in 1922. This gravity dam stands at 20 feet tall and spans 106 feet in length, serving the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. With a storage capacity of 800 acre-feet and a drainage area of 4,255 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in harnessing the water resources of the Spokane River for renewable energy production.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Upper Falls Intake Dam has a low hazard potential and a high risk assessment rating of 2. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. While the dam does not feature a spillway, its structural integrity and design make it a key component of the region's water infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of sustainable resource management in the face of climate change.
As a significant landmark in the hydroelectric landscape of Washington, the Upper Falls Intake Dam represents a blend of historical engineering and modern energy production. Its location, design, and operational oversight by federal agencies underscore the critical role of water resources in combating climate change and meeting the energy needs of the region. By understanding the complexities of dam management and the potential risks involved, water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the interconnectedness of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development in the face of a changing climate.
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 Upper Falls Intake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane River At Spokane | 5,570 cfs | → |
| Hangman Creek At Spokane | 52 cfs | → |
| Little Spokane River At Dartford | 163 cfs | → |
| Little Spokane River Near Dartford | 408 cfs | → |
| Spokane River Below Nine Mile Dam At Spokane | 6,100 cfs | → |
| Spokane River Nr Post Falls Id | 5,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Falls Intake Dam.
Boat launches
- South Gorge Trail Spokane
- North Aubrey L White Parkway Spokane
- West Fancher Road, Medical Lake
- Northeast Newman Lake Drive 12801, Newman Lake
- Spokane River Centennial Trail Spokane County
- Williams Lake Public Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Riverside State Park
- Fairchild Afb Military
- Liberty Lake Regional Park
- Muley Canyon Boat-In Campground
- Spokane Lake Campground- State Forest
- South Shore Hike-In/Bike-In Campsite
Track Upper Falls Intake Dam 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 Upper Falls Intake Dam
Where does the data for Upper Falls Intake Dam 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 Upper Falls Intake Dam.