Clear Creek Dam (Washington) facts for kids
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The Clear Creek Dam is an important structure located in Yakima County, Washington. It was built to manage water from the North Fork of the Tieton River. Today, this dam and the lake it creates are mainly used for fun outdoor activities.
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Building the Clear Creek Dam
The Clear Creek Dam was first finished in 1915. It was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This group helps manage water resources across the country.
How the Dam Was Built
The original dam was a "thin-arch dam." This means it was curved like an arch, which helps it stand strong against the water pressure. It was about 62 feet tall and 404 feet long.
Changes and Repairs Over Time
Just a few years later, in 1918, the dam was made taller. It reached its current height of 83 feet. In 1964, parts of the dam were rebuilt.
However, in 1990, engineers found the dam was not as safe as it should be. So, they drained most of the water from the lake. The dam was then rebuilt again. This time, they added a new, stronger part called a "gravity-dam element." This new section helped support the original arch structure. After these important repairs, the dam was refilled.
What Clear Creek Dam Does
The Clear Creek Dam holds back the North Fork of the Tieton River. This river is part of a bigger water management system called the Yakima Project. The dam and the lake it forms are owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation.
A Place for Recreation
While dams often help with irrigation or power, the Clear Creek Dam is now mostly used for recreation. This means it's a place where people can go to have fun outdoors.
Clear Lake: The Reservoir
The dam creates a beautiful body of water called Clear Lake. This lake covers about 260 acres. It can hold a lot of water, about 5,300 acre-feet.
Fun Activities at Clear Lake
Clear Lake is a popular spot for many activities. You can go boating on the water or enjoy fishing. The lake is surrounded by the southern part of the Wenatchee National Forest. This forest offers even more chances to explore nature.
The YMCA of Yakima also has a summer camp called Camp Dudley along the shores of Clear Lake. It's a great place for kids to enjoy the outdoors and have adventures.
