Box Canyon dam
Box Canyon
Box Canyon is a gravity dam located on the Pend Oreille River in Metaline, Washington. Built in 1955 for hydroelectric purposes, this structure stands at 105 feet tall and stretches 260 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 36 acre-feet. It is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and has a controlled spillway width of 160 feet. The dam is associated with two other structures, WA00013S001 and WA00013S003, and has a high hazard potential, with a very high risk assessment rating.
Owned by a public utility, Box Canyon plays a crucial role in generating hydroelectric power for the region. The dam's location within the Seattle District and its proximity to the Pend Oreille River make it a vital part of the local water resource infrastructure. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone recent condition assessments, but emergency action plans are in place to ensure the safety of surrounding communities in case of any unforeseen events. With its rich history and significant impact on the area's water resources, Box Canyon is a key landmark for both water resource and climate enthusiasts.
For those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate, Box Canyon offers a fascinating case study in hydroelectric power generation and dam infrastructure. Its multi-arch core type and rock-soil foundations demonstrate innovative engineering techniques for harnessing the energy of the Pend Oreille River. With a high hazard potential and very high risk assessment, the dam presents challenges and opportunities for risk management and emergency preparedness. As a critical piece of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's jurisdiction, Box Canyon exemplifies the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Box Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pend Oreille River Below Box Canyon Near Ione | 20,900 cfs | → |
| Outlet Creek Near Metaline Falls | 19 cfs | → |
| Columbia River At International Boundary | 105,000 cfs | → |
| Priest R Outflow Nr Coolin | 216 cfs | → |
| Colville River At Kettle Falls | 60 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Near Laurier | 940 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Box Canyon.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Box Canyon
Where does the data for Box Canyon 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 below 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.
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.