River Modifications
Although Lake Chelan is a natural lake its water level and discharge via the Chelan River has been controlled by Lake Chelan Dam since construction was completed in 1927. Due to the dam, the river is nearly always dry, although sometimes water is spilled over the dam, temporarily recreating a small streamflow in the old Chelan River. The river's water is used not only for hydroelectric power but also irrigation and drinking water. In addition, during the summer the water level of Lake Chelan is maintained at a relatively high elevation for scenic and recreational purposes. Normally water flow in the dry bypassed reach occurs in spring and early summer, when snow melt raises Lake Chelan to levels requiring spill for flood control.
The river's water is diverted through a 2.2-mile (3.5 km) long power tunnel, which ends with a 401 feet (122 m) drop through turbines at the powerhouse.
Most of the Chelan River's "bypassed reach" is owned by Chelan County PUD No. 1, the utility which also owns and operates Lake Chelan Dam.
In 2009 a different release pattern from the Lake Chelan Dam has allowed the riverbed to hold water again.
Read more about this topic: Chelan River
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“It is impossible to step into the same river twice.”
—Heraclitus (c. 535–475 B.C.)