Bumping Lake dam
Bumping Lake
Bumping Lake, located in Yakima, Washington, is a federally owned reservoir managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Built in 1910 for flood risk reduction, irrigation, and recreation purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 44 feet and has a hydraulic height of 35 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 37,700 acre-feet. The reservoir covers an area of 1,303 acres and is fed by the Bumping River, with a drainage area of 69 square miles.
The dam at Bumping Lake has undergone modifications in 1997 to enhance its foundation, hydraulic, other, seismic, and structural aspects. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the condition assessment is currently listed as not available. Emergency action plans have been prepared, with the latest revision in June 2020. The dam's hazard potential, combined with its scenic location and recreational opportunities, make Bumping Lake a site of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
For those interested in the intersection of water management, climate resilience, and recreational opportunities, Bumping Lake offers a captivating case study. With its history dating back over a century, ongoing maintenance and modification efforts, and the potential for high hazard events, this federally owned reservoir serves as a focal point for understanding the complex interplay between infrastructure, natural resources, and public safety. Whether for flood risk reduction, irrigation purposes, or recreational activities, Bumping Lake continues to play a vital role in the water resource management of the Yakima region in Washington State.
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 Bumping Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| American River Near Nile | 388 cfs | → |
| Greenwater River At Greenwater | 233 cfs | → |
| Cowlitz River At Packwood | 1,950 cfs | → |
| White River Below Clearwater River Nr Buckley | 2,550 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Below Bear Creek Near Cedar Falls | 104 cfs | → |
| Puyallup River Near Electron | 653 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bumping Lake.
Boat launches
- National Forest Development Road 714, Naches
- Lake Cabins Road Kittitas County
- North Wenas Road 16361, Selah
Campgrounds
- Bumping Lake
- Bumping Lake Campground
- Bumping Crossing Campground
- Bumping Crossing
- Cougar Flat Campground
- Cougar Flat
Paddle runs
- Headwaters At American Lake To Confluence With Ranier Fork
- Confluence With Ranier Fork To Confluence With Bumping River
- Confluence With Chinook Creek To Southern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
- Headwaters On The Southeast Flank Of Mount Rainier At An Elevation Of 5500 Ft To Confluence With Chinook Creek
- Begins 1/4 Mile South Of Box Canyon To Southern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
- Begins 1/4 Mile North Of Box Canyon To Ends 1/4 Mile South Of Box Canyon
More reservoirs
Track Bumping Lake 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 Bumping Lake
Where does the data for Bumping Lake 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 Bumping Lake.