Rock Island Pool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock Island Pool |
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Rock Island Pool from Wenatchee
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 Rock Island Pool
Location in Washington (state)
Rock Island Pool
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chelan / Douglas counties, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°20′33″N 120°5′37″W / 47.34250°N 120.09361°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Columbia River |
| Primary outflows | Columbia River |
| Basin countries | United States |
Rock Island Pool is a large reservoir, which is like a big, artificial lake. It is located on the famous Columbia River in Washington, one of the U.S. states. This pool was created a long time ago, in 1933, when the Rock Island Dam was built. The Rock Island Pool stretches quite a distance upstream from the Rock Island Dam all the way to another dam called the Rocky Reach Dam.
What is a Reservoir?
A reservoir is a place where water is collected and stored. Think of it as a giant bathtub for a river! Unlike natural lakes, reservoirs are usually made by people. They are built by putting a large wall, called a dam, across a river. This dam stops the water, causing it to back up and form a big pool.
Reservoirs are super important for many reasons:
- They store water for drinking and for farms to water their crops.
- They can help control floods by holding back extra water during heavy rains.
- They often help create electricity using the power of flowing water.
How Rock Island Pool Was Made
The Rock Island Pool was formed when the Rock Island Dam was built across the Columbia River. Construction of this dam started in 1930 and was finished in 1933. When the dam was completed, it blocked the river's flow, and the water began to collect behind it, creating the Rock Island Pool.
The main purpose of the Rock Island Dam was to generate hydroelectricity. This means it uses the force of water moving through turbines to create electricity. The dam and the pool it created have been providing power to homes and businesses for many decades.
Where is Rock Island Pool?
Rock Island Pool is located in the central part of Washington State. It sits between two counties: Chelan County and Douglas County. The pool is a significant part of the Columbia River system, which is one of the largest rivers in North America.
The pool starts at the Rock Island Dam and extends upstream. Upstream means against the direction the river flows. It continues until it reaches the Rocky Reach Dam, which is another large dam on the Columbia River. This makes the Rock Island Pool an important link in the chain of reservoirs along the Columbia River.
