Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir dam
Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir
Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir in Yakima, Washington, is a private irrigation reservoir designed by JUB Engineers and completed in 2004. This offstream reservoir on Buckskin Slough has a storage capacity of 32 acre-feet and a surface area of 2.1 acres, serving the primary purpose of irrigation. The dam, with a hydraulic height of 20 feet, is classified as an earth dam with a rockfill core and soil foundation, standing at a structural height of 20 feet.
The reservoir, located in Congressional District 04 and owned privately, is regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology. It has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as being in fair condition. The last inspection in May 2018 showed that the reservoir meets state regulatory standards and is inspected regularly. With a drainage area of 0.08 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 780 cubic feet per second, Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region and managing water resources effectively.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir an intriguing case study in private irrigation infrastructure, showcasing the intersection of engineering, agriculture, and environmental regulations. The reservoir's location, design, and operational details provide valuable insights into sustainable water management practices in arid regions like Yakima, Washington. As a vital component of the local water supply system, this reservoir serves as a testament to the importance of efficient water storage and distribution in mitigating the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity and ecosystem health.
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 Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 81 cfs | → |
| Yakima River Above Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 2,370 cfs | → |
| Yakima River At Umtanum | 1,790 cfs | → |
| Toppenish Creek Near Fort Simcoe | 34 cfs | → |
| Granger Drain At Granger | 43 cfs | → |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam | 158,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Rovetto Road 2, Yakima
- Roza Recreation Site
- Canyon Road 8681-9129, Yakima
- State Route 821 Kittitas County
- Big Pines Campground
Campgrounds
- Yakima Sportsman State Park
- Roza - Yakima River Canyon
- Roza Campsite 1
- Roza Campsite 2
- Roza Campsite 3
- Roza Campsite 4
Paddle runs
- Yakima River Segment 2
- Yakima River Segment 1
- Confluence With Ranier Fork To Confluence With Bumping River
- Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 9, T14n, R11e To Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters At American Lake To Confluence With Ranier Fork
- Confluence With Chinook Creek To Southern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
Track Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir 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 Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir
Where does the data for Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir 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 Selah Naches Ranch Reservoir.