Upriver Dam
Upriver Dam is a concrete dam located in Spokane County, Washington, built in 1937. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Upriver Dam
The primary purpose of Upriver Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by City Of Spokane (local government). It impounds the Spokane River near Spokane, Wa.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 725 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 50 acres, has a storage capacity of 3,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4,057 square miles. Completed in 1937, 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. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/23/2025.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
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 | Spokane |
| Nearest City | Spokane, Wa |
| River/Stream | Spokane River |
| Coordinates | 47.68628, -117.32853 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 725 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 50 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4,057 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 58,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | City of Spokane |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/23/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WA00074 |
| Federal ID | WA00074 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |