Chelan River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chelan River |
|
|---|---|
 
Location of the mouth of the Chelan River in Washington
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Chelan |
| City | Chelan |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Chelan 1,100 ft (340 m) 47°50′5″N 120°0′43″W / 47.83472°N 120.01194°W |
| River mouth | Columbia River 712 ft (217 m) 47°48′32″N 119°59′3″W / 47.80889°N 119.98417°W |
| Length | 4.1 mi (6.6 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 924 sq mi (2,390 km2) |
The Chelan River is a very short river in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a tributary of the Columbia River, meaning it flows into the Columbia. At only 4.1 miles (6.6 km) long, it is the shortest river in Washington.
The Lake Chelan Dam is built at the start of the river, where water flows out of Lake Chelan. Most of the river's water is sent through a special tunnel to the Lake Chelan Powerhouse. This powerhouse is about 3.9 miles (6.3 km) downstream, near where the river usually meets the Columbia River. Because of this, the Chelan River is almost always dry.
Where Does the Chelan River Flow?
The Chelan River begins at the end of Lake Chelan, in the city of Chelan. The Lake Chelan Dam, also in Chelan, blocks the river's path.
The riverbed, which is mostly dry, runs for about 3.9 miles (6.3 km) through a steep and rocky canyon. It drops 401 feet (122 m) before reaching the Columbia River near a place called Chelan Falls. Only a very small part of the river, right after Lake Chelan and before the dam, has water. The rest of the riverbed is called the "bypassed reach" because the water is sent around it.
The Lake Chelan Powerhouse is next to where the river used to flow into the Columbia. Water that is sent through the tunnel drops through large machines called hydroelectric turbines. These turbines use the force of the falling water to create electricity. After making power, the water is released into the Columbia River.
How Humans Changed the Chelan River
Lake Chelan is a natural lake, but its water level and how much water flows into the Chelan River have been controlled since the Lake Chelan Dam was finished in 1927.
Because of the dam, the Chelan River is usually dry. However, sometimes water is released over the dam. This happens mostly in spring and early summer when snow melts and raises Lake Chelan's water level. When this happens, the riverbed temporarily fills with water again.
The river's water is used for several important things:
- To make hydroelectricity (power from water).
- For irrigation (watering crops).
- As drinking water for people.
Also, during the summer, the water level of Lake Chelan is kept high. This is important for people who enjoy boating and other water activities, and for the beautiful scenery.
The river's water is sent through a 2.2-mile (3.5 km) long tunnel. This tunnel ends with a 401 feet (122 m) drop through the turbines at the powerhouse, creating electricity.
Most of the dry part of the Chelan River, known as the "bypassed reach," is owned by Chelan County PUD No. 1. This is the company that also owns and runs the Lake Chelan Dam.
In 2009, a new way of releasing water from the Lake Chelan Dam allowed the riverbed to hold water more often.
Animals and Nature in the River Area
The Chelan River canyon is very steep. Because of this, fish that usually swim upstream from the ocean to lay eggs (called anadromous fish) could not travel up the river to Lake Chelan, even before the dam was built.
However, Lake Chelan and the upper part of the river are home to different kinds of fish that do not migrate from the ocean. Fish from the Columbia River have also been found near where the powerhouse releases water.
