Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam dam
Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam
Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam, located in Richland, Washington, is a state-owned structure primarily used for irrigation purposes along the Yakima River. Completed in 1998, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 12.82 feet, with a length of 825 feet and a storage capacity of 44 acre-feet. The dam's normal storage level is 31.4 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 3.2 acres and draining an area of 0.08 square miles.
Managed by the Washington Department of Ecology, Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, with the last inspection conducted in April 2019. While there are no associated structures or spillways, the dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Situated in Congressional District 04, the dam plays a crucial role in providing water resources for irrigation in the region, highlighting the intersection of water management and climate resilience in the area.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in Benton County, Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam serves as a vital resource for agricultural activities in the region. With its strategic location offstream from the Yakima River, the dam exemplifies the importance of sustainable water management practices in mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources. Its construction and operation are closely monitored to ensure the safety and reliability of the irrigation system, underscoring the intricate relationship between water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yakima River At Kiona | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Umatilla River Near Umatilla | 214 cfs | → |
| Walla Walla River Near Touchet | 234 cfs | → |
| Yakima River At Mabton | 4,700 cfs | → |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam | 161,000 cfs | → |
| Granger Drain At Granger | 42 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam.
Boat launches
- Chamna Trail Tri-Cities
- Riverfront Trail, Richland
- Columbia Point Marina Park
- Snyder Boat Launch
- Columbia Park Trail 1455, Richland
- Sacajawea Heritage Trail Tri-Cities
Track Chiawana Richland Ranch 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 Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam
Where does the data for Chiawana Richland Ranch 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 Chiawana Richland Ranch Dam.