Rocky Reach dam
Rocky Reach
Rocky Reach, also known as Lake Entiat, is a gravity dam located on the Columbia River in Washington. Built in 1962 by Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation, this hydroelectric structure stands at a height of 130 feet and spans a length of 3,820 feet. With a storage capacity of 390,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1,200,000 cubic feet per second, Rocky Reach serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction and hydroelectric power generation.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Rocky Reach is a key player in water resource management and climate resilience in the region. The dam's controlled spillway, Tainter gates, and high hazard potential make it a critical infrastructure for ensuring the safety and stability of the surrounding area. Despite its age, Rocky Reach continues to operate efficiently, with regular inspections and emergency action plans in place to mitigate any potential risks.
As a prominent landmark in Chelan, Washington, Rocky Reach not only contributes to the local economy through hydroelectric power generation but also provides recreational opportunities and environmental benefits. With its strategic location on the Columbia River and state-of-the-art design features, Rocky Reach stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation efforts 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 Rocky Reach -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee River At Monitor | 4,590 cfs | → |
| Entiat River Near Entiat | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Mad River At Ardenvoir | 208 cfs | → |
| Wenatchee River At Peshastin | 4,710 cfs | → |
| Icicle Creek Above Snow Creek Near Leavenworth | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Entiat River Near Ardenvoir | 931 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rocky Reach.
Boat launches
- U.S. 2 13253, East Wenatchee
- Chelan County
- Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, Wenatchee
- Apple Capitol Recreational Loop Trail, Wenatchee
- Lakeshore Drive Entiat
- Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, East Wenatchee
Campgrounds
- Lincoln Rock State Park
- Wenatchee Confluence State Park
- Wenatchee River County Park
- Entiat City Park
- Daroga State Park
- Duffy / Douglas Creek
Paddle runs
- Outlet Of Lake Wenatchee To Wenatchee Nf Boundary
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To City Of Leavenworth Water Intake In Se1/4 Of Sec 28, T24n, R17e
- Douglas Creek
- Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Wenatchee River
- Rock Island Campground To Ida Creek
- Point At East Section Line Of Sec 13, T28n, R15e To Lake Wenatchee
Track Rocky Reach 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 Rocky Reach
Where does the data for Rocky Reach 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 Rocky Reach.