Avalon Fruit Dam 3 dam
Avalon Fruit Dam 3
Avalon Fruit Dam 3, located in Sunnyside, Washington, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology. This earthen dam, completed in 1985, spans 210 feet in length and has a hydraulic height of 16.5 feet, primarily serving the purpose of irrigation along Washout Creek. With a storage capacity of 18 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 15 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the Yakima County region.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Avalon Fruit Dam 3 is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of its last inspection in April 2015. The dam is subject to regular inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While there are no spillways or outlet gates associated with the dam, its presence signifies a vital water management infrastructure that contributes to the sustainability of the local ecosystem and economy.
As a key component of the irrigation network in the area, Avalon Fruit Dam 3 exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. Its strategic location along Washout Creek, its height of 17 feet, and its stone core design showcase the critical role dams play in sustaining agriculture and water supply in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the regulatory oversight, maintenance practices, and risk management measures associated with dams like Avalon Fruit Dam 3 is crucial in ensuring their continued effectiveness and safety 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 Avalon Fruit Dam 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Granger Drain At Granger | 41 cfs | → |
| Yakima River At Mabton | 4,700 cfs | → |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam | 158,000 cfs | → |
| Yakima River Above Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 2,620 cfs | → |
| Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 64 cfs | → |
| Yakima River At Kiona | 1,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Avalon Fruit Dam 3.
Boat launches
- Sunnyside Mabton Road 6448-7798, Mabton
- North Meyers Road 2842, Toppenish
- Bryon Road, Prosser
- Vernita Bridge 96, Mattawa
- Road 26 Southwest Desert Aire
- North State Route 225 Benton County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Avalon Fruit Dam 3 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 Avalon Fruit Dam 3
Where does the data for Avalon Fruit Dam 3 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 Avalon Fruit Dam 3.