Salmon Lake dam
Salmon Lake
Salmon Lake, located in Conconully, Washington, is a picturesque reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this federal-owned earth dam stands at a height of 54 feet and was completed in 1920. With a maximum storage capacity of 17,280 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 15,700 acre-feet, the lake covers a surface area of 313 acres and is fed by Salmon Creek OS.
Despite its significance in providing water for agricultural needs, Salmon Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its outdated infrastructure. With a risk assessment rating of moderate (3), the dam has undergone several modifications over the years, including upgrades to its foundation and structural components. While it lacks a current condition assessment, regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and integrity, with an emergency action plan in place to address any potential risks.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Salmon Lake serves as a vital reservoir in the Okanogan region, highlighting the intersection of human development and environmental conservation. Its historical significance, coupled with its potential risks and management measures, offer a compelling case study in balancing water utilization for human needs while safeguarding against potential hazards. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the management and maintenance of dams like Salmon Lake will be crucial in ensuring sustainable water management practices for future generations.
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 Salmon Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Okanogan River Near Tonasket | 5,120 cfs | → |
| Omak Creek Near Omak | 3 cfs | → |
| Okanogan River At Malott | 5,020 cfs | → |
| Methow River At Winthrop | 2,740 cfs | → |
| Chewuch River At Winthrop | 950 cfs | → |
| Methow River At Twisp | 3,520 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Salmon Lake.
Boat launches
- Conconully Road Conconully
- Sinlahekin Road 100-144, Okanogan
- Sinlahekin Road, Okanogan
- Sinlahekin Road Okanogan County
- South Fish Lake Road, Okanogan
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Salmon Creek
- Pasayten Wilderness Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
- Confluence With Tungsten Creek To Pasayten Wilderness Boundary
- Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
- Private Land Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
- Confluence Of South Fork Wolf Creek To Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary
Track Salmon 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 Salmon Lake
Where does the data for Salmon 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 Salmon Lake.