Conconully Dam facts for kids

Aerial view of Conconully Dam and its reservoir

The town of Conconully from the north, with Conconully Lake and the 1921 Salmon Lake Dam to the east (left), and Conconully Reservoir to the south

The Conconully Dam is a large structure in Okanogan County, Washington, in the United States. It's a special kind of dam called an earthen dam, which means it's built mostly from earth and rock. This dam helps control water and store it for different uses.

It was first built between 1910 and 1911 by a government group called the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This group helps manage water resources across the country. The dam was originally 70 feet tall. Over the years, it was made taller in 1920 and rebuilt in 1969. Today, Conconully Dam stands 72 feet high and stretches 1075 feet across.

How Conconully Dam Helps

The Conconully Dam holds back the water of Salmon Creek. It serves two main purposes:

• Flood control: It helps prevent floods by holding back extra water during heavy rains or snowmelt.
• Irrigation storage: It stores water that can be used to water crops on farms, which is called irrigation.

This dam is an important part of a bigger water system known as the Okanogan Project. It's so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, recognizing its historical value. The nearby 1921 Salmon Lake Dam and its lake, Conconully Lake, are also part of this same water project. Both dams are owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and managed by the local Okanogan Irrigation District.

Fun at Conconully Reservoir

The water held back by the dam forms the Conconully Reservoir. This reservoir covers about 550 acres of water when it's at its normal level. It can hold a lot of water, up to 13,000 acre-feet!

The reservoir is a great place for outdoor activities. You can enjoy:

• Fishing: Anglers can catch fish like rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and smallmouth bass.
• Boating: It's a popular spot for boating.
• Camping: There are places nearby where you can set up a tent and camp.
• Hiking: Trails around the area are perfect for exploring on foot.
• Wildlife viewing: You might spot different animals and birds living near the water.

You can also visit Conconully State Park and the Conconully National Wildlife Refuge, which are both close to the dam and reservoir.

A Look Back: Building the Dam

Building the Conconully Dam was a big job! Construction began in the early 1900s. In July 1909, there was a brief pause in the work. The construction workers wanted a pay raise. They were offered an extra twenty-five cents per day, but they asked for fifty cents more. This event was even reported in a newspaper at the time. Despite this, the dam was completed and has been serving the community for over a century.