Easton Diversion Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Easton Diversion Dam |
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Easton Diversion Dam
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| Location | Kittitas County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°14′28″N 121°11′13″W / 47.241°N 121.187°W |
| Construction began | 1928 |
| Opening date | 1929 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Yakima River |
| Height | 66 feet (20 m) |
| Length | 248 feet (76 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Easton |
| Total capacity | 3,992 acre feet |
The Easton Diversion Dam is a special kind of wall built across the Yakima River in Washington state. It's located in western Kittitas County, close to a town called Easton, Washington.
This dam isn't like a big wall that holds back a huge lake. Instead, it's designed to guide or "divert" water from the river into canals. These canals then carry the water to farms and communities that need it.
What Does a Diversion Dam Do?
A diversion dam helps control where river water goes. Think of it like a giant faucet that can direct water. The Easton Diversion Dam is 66 feet (20 m) tall and stretches 248 feet (76 m) across the river.
Its main job is to send water from the Yakima River to places that need it for farming. This helps crops grow, especially in drier areas. It's a key part of managing water resources in the region.
Building the Easton Dam
Work on the Easton Diversion Dam started in 1928. It was finished quite quickly, opening just one year later in 1929. Building a dam is a big project that takes a lot of planning and hard work!
Today, the dam is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. This is a government agency in the United States. They are in charge of managing water resources, especially in the western parts of the country.
Who Manages the Dam?
While the Bureau of Reclamation owns the dam, it's operated by a local group called the Kittitas Reclamation District. They are responsible for making sure the dam works properly every day. Their job is to deliver water to farmers and other users in the Kittitas Valley. This helps ensure that farms have enough water to grow food.
