Easton Diversion Dam
Easton Diversion Dam is a concrete dam located in Kittitas County, Washington, built in 1929. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Easton Diversion Dam
The primary purpose of Easton Diversion Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Yakima River near Easton.
The dam stands 66 feet tall and stretches 248 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 275 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 185 square miles. Completed in 1929, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/23/2020.
At 66 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Washington dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Washington |
| County | Kittitas |
| Nearest City | Easton |
| River/Stream | Yakima River |
| Coordinates | 47.24170, -121.18810 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 66 ft |
| Dam Height | 66 ft |
| Dam Length | 248 ft |
| Year Completed | 1929 (97 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 275 acres |
| Drainage Area | 185 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 15,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | BUREAU OF RECLAMATION |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 09/23/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WA00276 |
| Federal ID | WA00276 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |