Blue Lake Dam Okanogan Co dam
Blue Lake Dam Okanogan Co
Blue Lake Dam in Okanogan County, Washington, is a state-owned structure built in 1923 primarily for recreational purposes. Situated in the picturesque city of Loomis, the dam spans 1500 feet in length and boasts a hydraulic height of 32 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 4416 acre-feet and a surface area of 160 acres, the dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding community and visitors alike.
Managed by the Washington Department of Ecology, Blue Lake Dam is classified as a rockfill structure with a low hazard potential. Despite not having a formal condition assessment, the dam's state jurisdiction ensures regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement. The dam's location on Tr-Sinlahekin Creek offers a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts, while its historical significance as a key recreational site in the region adds to its allure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, the conservation and maintenance of dams like Blue Lake Dam are crucial for sustaining the local ecosystem and recreational opportunities. With the support of the state regulatory agency and ongoing monitoring efforts, Blue Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in Okanogan County and beyond.
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 Blue Lake Dam Okanogan Co -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Okanogan River Near Tonasket | 5,120 cfs | → |
| Similkameen River Near Nighthawk | 5,050 cfs | → |
| Okanogan River At Oroville | 164 cfs | → |
| Andrews Creek Near Mazama | 107 cfs | → |
| Omak Creek Near Omak | 3 cfs | → |
| Methow River At Winthrop | 2,740 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Lake Dam Okanogan Co.
Boat launches
- Sinlahekin Road Okanogan County
- South Fish Lake Road, Okanogan
- Sinlahekin Road, Okanogan
- Windy Flat Road Okanogan County
- Sinlahekin Road 100-144, Okanogan
Campgrounds
- Sinlahekin Creek - Wdfw
- Blue Lake North - Wdfw
- Blue Lake South - Wdfw
- Sinlahekin Wildlife Area
- Forde Lake - Wdfw
- Forde Lake
Track Blue Lake Dam Okanogan Co 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 Blue Lake Dam Okanogan Co
Where does the data for Blue Lake Dam Okanogan Co 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 Blue Lake Dam Okanogan Co.