Lake Umatilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Umatilla |
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 Lake Umatilla
Location in Oregon
Lake Umatilla
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Umatilla
Location in the United States
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| Location | Oregon / Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°43′3″N 120°41′38″W / 45.71750°N 120.69389°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Columbia River |
| Primary outflows | Columbia River |
| Basin countries | United States |
Lake Umatilla is a really long lake, about 110-mile (177 km) long. It's not a natural lake but a reservoir, which means it was made by people. You can find it on the Columbia River in the United States, right between the states of Washington and Oregon.
This big lake was formed in 1971 when the John Day Dam was built. It stretches all the way upstream to another dam called McNary Dam. Lake Umatilla touches several counties in both states. In Oregon, it's near Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla counties. In Washington, it's in Klickitat and Benton counties.
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What is a Reservoir?
A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake. It's created when a dam is built across a river. The dam holds back the river's water, forming a large body of water behind it. Reservoirs are very important because they help us manage water.
They can store water for drinking, for farms to grow crops, and for making electricity. They also help control floods by holding back extra water during heavy rains.
How Lake Umatilla Was Formed
Lake Umatilla was created in 1971. This happened when the John Day Dam was finished. The dam was built across the Columbia River. When the dam was completed, it started to hold back the river's water. This caused the river to spread out and become much wider and deeper in that area.
The lake stretches for about 110 miles (177 km) upstream from the John Day Dam. It goes all the way to another large dam, the McNary Dam. So, Lake Umatilla is essentially the part of the Columbia River that is held back between these two big dams.
Why Are Reservoirs Like Lake Umatilla Important?
Reservoirs like Lake Umatilla serve many important purposes for the communities around them.
Generating Electricity
One of the main reasons dams are built on rivers like the Columbia is to make electricity. This is called hydroelectric power. Water stored in the reservoir flows through large turbines inside the dam. This spinning motion creates electricity. This is a clean way to produce power because it doesn't burn fossil fuels.
The Columbia River is a very important waterway for boats and barges. These vessels carry goods and materials. Dams and reservoirs help make the river easier to navigate. They create deeper, calmer sections of water. This allows large ships to travel safely. Locks, which are like water elevators, help boats move past the dams.
Flood Control
Another key role of reservoirs is to help control floods. During times of heavy rain or snowmelt, rivers can swell and overflow their banks. This can cause a lot of damage to towns and farms. Reservoirs can store this extra water. They release it slowly over time. This helps prevent flooding downstream.
Water Supply
While not always the primary purpose for large river reservoirs, some reservoirs also provide water for nearby towns and cities. They can also supply water for irrigation, which is used to water crops on farms.
Where Lake Umatilla Is Located
Lake Umatilla is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It forms a natural border between two states: Oregon to the south and Washington to the north.
The lake spans across several counties in both states. In Oregon, it touches parts of Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla counties. On the Washington side, it is found in Klickitat and Benton counties. This means many different communities share the lake.
