Bumping Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bumping Lake |
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 Bumping Lake
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Yakima County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46°51′05″N 121°19′09″W / 46.8513°N 121.3193°W |
| Type | reservoir, natural |
| Primary inflows | Bumping River |
| Primary outflows | Bumping River |
| Catchment area | 68 sq mi (180 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 3 mi (4.8 km) |
| Max. width | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) |
| Water volume | 0.01 cu mi (0.042 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 3,426 ft (1,044 m) |
Bumping Lake is a natural lake that also works as a reservoir in Yakima County, Washington state, USA. The Bumping River flows into and out of this lake.
Contents
Why Bumping Lake is Important
Bumping Lake plays a big role in helping farms grow food in the area. It is part of a large project called the Yakima Project. This project is managed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which is a government agency that helps manage water resources.
How Bumping Lake Helps Farms
The main job of Bumping Lake is to store water. This stored water is then used for irrigation. Irrigation means supplying water to farmland, especially during dry seasons. This helps crops like apples, hops, and other produce grow well in the Yakima Valley.
Water Storage and Release
The lake's ability to hold and release water is controlled by a special structure called the Bumping Lake Dam. This dam makes sure there's enough water for farms when they need it most.
The Bumping Lake Dam
The Bumping Lake Dam is a structure that helps control the water level and flow of Bumping Lake. It's an earthfill dam, which means it's built mostly from compacted earth and rock.
Dam Construction and Changes
The original dam was built in 1910. It was about 60 feet (18 meters) tall. Over the years, the dam has been updated. Important changes were made in the 1990s to make sure it continues to work well and safely.
How the Dam Works
The dam helps to increase the lake's storage capacity. This means it can hold more water than it would naturally. The amount of water it can actively store for use is about 33,700 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot.
Where is Bumping Lake Located?
Bumping Lake is found in the beautiful Okanogan National Forest in Washington state. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities, surrounded by forests and mountains.
