Upper Snow Dam dam
Upper Snow Dam
Upper Snow Dam, located in Chelan, Washington, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Built in 1939, this dam on Snow Creek serves the primary purpose of water supply, with a storage capacity of 770 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 10 feet and is constructed on a rock foundation, supporting a length of 119 feet.
Despite its low hazard potential, Upper Snow Dam has been assessed to be in poor condition as of September 2018. The dam has undergone modifications in 1974, 1991, and 2001, primarily for mechanical improvements. With a moderate risk rating, it is important for ongoing risk management measures to be implemented to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Upper Snow Dam presents a fascinating case study in the management of water supply infrastructure. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance challenges, this dam serves as a reminder of the vital role that dams play in providing water resources while also highlighting the importance of monitoring and maintaining these structures for long-term sustainability in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Upper Snow Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Icicle Creek Above Snow Creek Near Leavenworth | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Wenatchee River At Peshastin | 6,220 cfs | → |
| Wenatchee River At Monitor | 6,170 cfs | → |
| Wenatchee River At Plain | 4,400 cfs | → |
| Mad River At Ardenvoir | 274 cfs | → |
| Chiwawa River Near Plain | 1,180 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Snow Dam .
Boat launches
- Leavenworth Public Boat Launch
- Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, Wenatchee
- Chelan County
- Apple Capitol Recreational Loop Trail, Wenatchee
- Cooper Lake Boat Launch
- U.S. 2 13253, East Wenatchee
Campgrounds
- Leprechaun Lake Backcountry Camping
- Eightmile Campground
- Bridge Creek Camping
- Icicle Group Campground
- Johnny Creek
- Johnny Creek Campground
Paddle runs
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To City Of Leavenworth Water Intake In Se1/4 Of Sec 28, T24n, R17e
- Outlet Of Lake Wenatchee To Wenatchee Nf Boundary
- Rock Island Campground To Ida Creek
- Headwaters At Josephine Lake To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Private Land Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 3, T23n, R14e
- Headwaters In Nw1/4 Of Sec 12, T24n, R13e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
Track Upper Snow 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 Upper Snow Dam
Where does the data for Upper Snow 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 Upper Snow Dam .