Orchards Block 96 Reservoir Dam dam
Orchards Block 96 Reservoir Dam
Orchards Block 96 Reservoir Dam, located in Walla Walla, Washington, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 2001 for irrigation purposes. The dam stands at a hydraulic height of 32 feet and a structural height of 28 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 58 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 5.44 acres and drains an area of 0.13 square miles, with a maximum discharge capacity of 360 cubic feet per second into the Snake River.
This high-hazard potential dam is regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology and undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment in October 2018 rating its condition as satisfactory. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in January 2019, ensuring preparedness for any unforeseen events. The dam's primary purpose of irrigation plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region, highlighting the importance of its maintenance and operation.
Overall, Orchards Block 96 Reservoir Dam serves as a vital water resource infrastructure in the area, providing essential irrigation water for agricultural activities along the Snake River. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and supports the local economy. Continuous monitoring and maintenance efforts ensure the dam's safety and reliable operation, contributing to sustainable water resource management in Walla Walla, Washington.
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 Orchards Block 96 Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla River Near Touchet | 234 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Walla Walla | 24 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Five Mile Rd Br Nr Walla Walla | 634 cfs | → |
| Tucannon River Near Starbuck | 195 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Walla Walla | 54 cfs | → |
| Palouse River At Hooper | 342 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Orchards Block 96 Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Columbia Plateau Trail, Pasco
- Columbia Plateau Trail State Park Franklin County
- Casey Road Walla Walla County
- Us 12 Walla Walla County
- South 2nd Street 577, Burbank
Track Orchards Block 96 Reservoir 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 Orchards Block 96 Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Orchards Block 96 Reservoir 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 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 Orchards Block 96 Reservoir Dam.