Loon Lake Control Structure dam
Loon Lake Control Structure
The Loon Lake Control Structure, also known as the Loon Lake Dam, is a privately owned gravity dam located in Springdale, Washington. Completed in 1951, this multi-arch dam stands at a height of 8 feet with a structural height of 5 feet and a length of 25 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the 279-acre surface area.
Managed by the Washington Department of Ecology, the Loon Lake Control Structure is state-regulated and inspected to ensure its fair condition and low hazard potential. With a normal storage capacity of 5590 acre-feet, this dam has become a vital part of the recreational landscape in Stevens County, Washington. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's emergency preparedness and risk management measures remain undisclosed, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
As part of Congressional District 05 in Washington, the Loon Lake Control Structure serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and climate resilience. Its presence on Tr-Sheep Creek offers a tranquil retreat for outdoor enthusiasts while underscoring the need for responsible stewardship of our natural resources in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Loon Lake Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chamokane Creek Below Falls Near Long Lake | 30 cfs | → |
| Little Spokane River At Elk | 48 cfs | → |
| Spokane River Below Nine Mile Dam At Spokane | 9,810 cfs | → |
| Little Spokane River Near Dartford | 483 cfs | → |
| Little Spokane River At Dartford | 198 cfs | → |
| Spokane River At Spokane | 9,100 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Loon Lake Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Viewpoint Road 61, Newport
- South Shore Diamond Lake Road 765-1255, Newport
- Pondoray Shores Road, Newport
- North Aubrey L White Parkway Spokane
- Pow Wow Park, Cusick
- South Gorge Trail Spokane
Track Loon Lake Control Structure 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 Loon Lake Control Structure
Where does the data for Loon Lake Control Structure 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 Loon Lake Control Structure.