Bernsen Dam dam
Bernsen Dam
Bernsen Dam, also known as Powerline Reservoir Dam, is a state-owned structure in Franklin County, Washington, designed by Steve T. Monek. Completed in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and spans 492 feet in length. With a primary purpose of irrigation, the dam also serves recreational activities and has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet.
Situated on the irrigation drainage of the Ringold River in the city of RINGOLD, Bernsen Dam is regulated and inspected by the Washington Department of Ecology. The dam's low hazard potential and not-rated condition assessment indicate its stable structural integrity. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam features a spillway with a maximum discharge of 30 cubic feet per second, ensuring safe water release during heavy inflows.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Bernsen Dam for its vital role in providing irrigation water to the surrounding area, while also offering recreational opportunities. Its construction and management by the state demonstrate a commitment to sustainable water resource management. The dam's location, design, and operational features align with regulations and inspections, ensuring the safety and efficiency of its functions for the community it serves.
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 Bernsen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yakima River At Kiona | 3,460 cfs | → |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam | 167,000 cfs | → |
| Crab Creek Near Beverly | 212 cfs | → |
| Crab Creek Near Moses Lake | 49 cfs | → |
| Palouse River At Hooper | 342 cfs | → |
| Walla Walla River Near Touchet | 227 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bernsen Dam.
Boat launches
- Ringold Boat Launch
- Franklin County
- Grant County
- Solbeck Road Adams County
- Road 10 Southeast Grant County
Track Bernsen Dam 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 Bernsen Dam
Where does the data for Bernsen Dam 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 Bernsen Dam.