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McNary Dam, McNary Beach, and Lake Wallula, Oregon.
Lake Wallula is the reservoir behind the McNary Dam.
Sillusi Butte is in the background.
Image taken September 25, 2005.
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Lake Wallula ...
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Lake Wallula is the reservoir which lies behind
McNary Lock and Dam and came into existence in 1957. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names made "Lake Wallula" official in 1958.
Lake Wallula begins at Columbia River Mile (RM) 292.5 and extends 64 miles upstream. The lake shoreline extends past McNary Beach, Hat Rock State Park, and Warehouse Beach, through the Wallula Gap, past the confluence of the Walla Walla River and Sacajawea State Park and the confluence of the Snake River, through the Tri-Cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, and to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford Site, located approximately 27 miles upstream of Pasco.
Lake Wallula also extends ten miles up the Snake River to Ice Harbor Lock and Dam. Lake Wallula has a water surface area of 38,800 acres, with 242 miles of shoreline, and a normal operating range between 340 and 335 feet above sea level.
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Reservoirs along the Columbia River ...
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There are 4 dams and 4 reservoirs on the Columbia River within the scope of this photographic journey. Bonneville Dam and Bonneville Reservoir are the furthest downstream and located the closest to Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. Bonneville Dam is located at Columbia River Mile (RM) 146, and Bonneville Reservoir extends 46 miles upstream. At RM 192 is The Dalles Dam and Lake Celilo. Lake Celilo extends for 24 miles. Next in line, beginning at RM 216, is the John Day Dam and Lake Umatilla. Lake Umatilla extends for 76 miles. Furthest upstream is McNary Dam and Lake Wallula which begins at RM 292 and extends 64 miles upstream and includes the Tri-Cities of Richland, Pasco, and Kenneweick.
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Around the Lake ...
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Lake Wallula is a diverse area.
The 16,908 acres surrounding the lake are public lands used for recreational, wildlife habitat, wildlife mitigation, and water-connected industrial development. At the present time (2005), approximately 2,400 acres are licensed either to State or local park agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leases approximately 3,500 acres of public lands as part of the
McNary National Wildlife Refuge.
Port districts own approximately 1,500 acres within the boundary for industrial development. Facilities operated by commercial concessionaires or boat clubs are available at eight locations. Public boat launching facilities are available at 17 locations along the shoreline.
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Views ...
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McNary Dam and Lake Wallula.
McNary Dam spans the Columbia River from just upstream Umatilla, Oregon to upstream Plymouth, Washington. Lake Wallula is the reservoir behind the dam. Image taken from Dam overlook, Oregon, off of Highway 730.
Sillusi Butte is the high point visible on the Washington State side of the dam.
Image taken September 24, 2004.
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Lake Wallula from McNary Beach, Oregon.
Image taken September 25, 2005.
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Lake Wallula, as seen downstream of Wallula Gap.
Lake Wallula extends 64 miles behind the McNary Dam.
Image taken September 24, 2005.
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Sailing, Lake Wallula at the Wallula Gap.
Image taken September 24, 2005.
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Lake Wallula and the Wallula Gap from the east.
Image taken September 25, 2005.
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View from Columbia Park ...
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Sunset, water skiing.
View from Columbia Park.
Image taken September 30, 2006.
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Sunset, water skiing.
View from Columbia Park.
Image taken September 30, 2006.
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Sunset, water skiing, with the Pasco-Kennewick "Blue Bridge".
View from Columbia Park.
Image taken September 30, 2006.
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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Clark, October 18, 1805 ...
Clark, October 19, 1805 ...
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