Clear Creek dam
Clear Creek
Clear Creek, located in Naches, Washington, is a Federal-owned dam managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Built in 1914, this concrete arch dam stands at a height of 47 feet with a hydraulic height of 57 feet and a structural height of 83 feet. The primary purpose of Clear Creek is to serve as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, with additional functions for irrigation and recreation. With a storage capacity of 3500 acre-feet and a surface area of 260 acres, Clear Creek plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam is situated on the North Fork Tieton River and has a drainage area of 60 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the condition assessment for Clear Creek is currently marked as "Not Available." The dam has a maximum discharge of 2400 cubic feet per second and a spillway width of 0 feet. It is important to note that Clear Creek does not have a state jurisdiction or regulatory agency involvement, with all operations, inspections, and regulatory measures handled by the Bureau of Reclamation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Clear Creek offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of infrastructure, wildlife conservation, and recreational activities. As a key component of the water management system in Yakima, Washington, this dam serves as a vital resource for both human and natural ecosystems. With its rich history dating back over a century, Clear Creek stands as a testament to the enduring importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing environmental 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 Clear Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cowlitz River At Packwood | 935 cfs | → |
| American River Near Nile | 63 cfs | → |
| Klickitat River Above West Fork Near Glenwood | 75 cfs | → |
| Cispus River Ab Yellowjacket Creek Near Randle | 406 cfs | → |
| Toppenish Creek Near Fort Simcoe | 6 cfs | → |
| Cowlitz River At Randle | 1,070 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clear Creek.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Clear Creek
Where does the data for Clear Creek 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.