Upriver Dam dam
Upriver Dam
Upriver Dam in Spokane, Washington, stands as a critical structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Owned by the local government, this hydroelectric dam on the Spokane River serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. Completed in 1937, the concrete dam has a height of 38 feet and a length of 725 feet, with a storage capacity of 3000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 58,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Upriver Dam has a controlled spillway and eight Tainter (radial) outlet gates. With a hazard potential rated as high and a very high risk assessment, the dam's safety and emergency preparedness are under constant scrutiny. Despite its age, Upriver Dam continues to play a vital role in the region's water management, with its impact stretching far beyond its physical structure.
As a key feature in the Seattle District's water infrastructure, Upriver Dam remains a focal point for ongoing inspection and risk management measures. Its historical significance, combined with its modern-day importance in providing renewable energy and recreational opportunities, make it a compelling subject for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience in the Pacific Northwest.
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 Upriver 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 Upriver Dam.
Boat launches
- South Gorge Trail Spokane
- North Aubrey L White Parkway Spokane
- Northeast Newman Lake Drive 12801, Newman Lake
- Spokane River Centennial Trail Spokane County
- West Fancher Road, Medical Lake
- Windy Bay Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Riverside State Park
- Liberty Lake Regional Park
- Fairchild Afb Military
- Mount Spokane State Park
- Spokane Lake Campground- State Forest
- Mica Bay Boater Park
Track Upriver 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 Upriver Dam
Where does the data for Upriver 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 Upriver Dam.