Upper Wheeler Dam dam
Upper Wheeler Dam
Upper Wheeler Dam, located in Malaga, Washington, along the Orr Creek, is a vital structure owned by the Washington Dept of Ecology. Built in 1922, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 65 feet, serving primarily for irrigation and recreation purposes. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 833 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 632.7 acre-feet and a surface area of 33 acres, catering to the water needs of the region.
With a design focused on public utility, Upper Wheeler Dam is a key component in water resource management in Chelan County, Washington. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the dam has been regularly inspected by state authorities, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. The dam's location in the Seattle District and under the jurisdiction of the Washington Dept of Ecology highlights its importance in the region's water infrastructure.
Upper Wheeler Dam not only provides essential irrigation water but also offers recreational opportunities for the local community. Situated in a picturesque setting, this dam plays a crucial role in the conservation and management of water resources in the area. As a significant structure in the region, its upkeep and maintenance are essential for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water supply in Chelan, Washington.
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 Wheeler Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee River At Monitor | 4,590 cfs | → |
| Wenatchee River At Peshastin | 4,710 cfs | → |
| Icicle Creek Above Snow Creek Near Leavenworth | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Entiat River Near Entiat | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Yakima River At Umtanum | 2,070 cfs | → |
| Mad River At Ardenvoir | 208 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Wheeler Dam.
Boat launches
- Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, East Wenatchee
- Apple Capitol Recreational Loop Trail, Wenatchee
- Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, Wenatchee
- Russ Road Chelan County
- Spanish Castle Road Douglas County
- Chelan County
Campgrounds
- Squilchuck State Park Campground
- Tronsen
- Lion Rock Spring
- Wenatchee Confluence State Park
- Wenatchee River County Park
- Swauk
Paddle runs
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To City Of Leavenworth Water Intake In Se1/4 Of Sec 28, T24n, R17e
- Outlet Of Lake Wenatchee To Wenatchee Nf Boundary
- Douglas Creek
- Rock Island Campground To Ida Creek
- Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 29, T24n, R13e To Confluence With Cle Elum River
- Private Land Boundary To Head Of Lake Cle Elum Reservoir
Track Upper Wheeler 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 Wheeler Dam
Where does the data for Upper Wheeler 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 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 Upper Wheeler Dam.