Alkali Lake dam
Alkali Lake
Alkali Lake, located in Soap Lake, Washington, is a state-owned reservoir primarily used for recreation. The dam, completed in 1950, is a gravity-type structure with a height of 12 feet and a length of 500 feet, providing a storage capacity of 2,449 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 290 acres and drains an area of 79 square miles, with a maximum discharge of 110 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Washington Department of Ecology, Alkali Lake has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition. Despite its last inspection dating back to 1998, the dam remains in good standing with state regulations and enforcement measures. With its location near the Tr-Columbia River and within Congressional District 04, Alkali Lake serves as an important water resource for the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in its ecological impact and recreational opportunities.
Overall, Alkali Lake presents a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities while also serving as a vital water management structure in Grant County, Washington. With its historical significance and environmental value, the lake continues to be a focal point 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 Alkali Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Creek Near Moses Lake | 50 cfs | → |
| Wilson Creek Below Corbett Draw Near Almira | 0 cfs | → |
| Chelan River At Chelan | 268 cfs | → |
| Crab Creek At Irby | 9 cfs | → |
| Entiat River Near Entiat | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Wenatchee River At Monitor | 4,590 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alkali Lake.
Boat launches
- Wa 17 Grant County
- Lakeview Road Northeast Grant County
- Park Lake Road Northeast 33185, Grant County
- Park Lake Trail Grant County
Campgrounds
- Alkali Lake - Wdfw
- Blue Lake - Wdfw
- Sun Lakes State Park Resort
- Ankeny No. 1 - Wdfw
- Jameson Lake
- Coulee City Community Park
Paddle runs
Track Alkali 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 Alkali Lake
Where does the data for Alkali 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 Low 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 Alkali Lake.