Cle Elum River
Encyclopedia
The Cle Elum River is a tributary
of the Yakima River
, approximately 28 miles (45 km) long in the U.S. state
of Washington.
The river originates in the Cascade Range
near Mount Daniel
and flows generally south, through Hyas Lake. The river is joined by many tributary streams including Waptus River and Cooper River, after which it enters Cle Elum Lake
. Although a natural lake, Cle Elum Lake's water level and discharge is controlled by Cle Elum Dam, a 165 foot (50 m) high earthfill structure built in 1933. The dam and lake are managed for irrigation purposes by the United States Bureau of Reclamation
as part of the Yakima Project. Below the dam, Cle Elum River continues south to join the Yakima River on the west side of the city of Cle Elum
.
A Northern Pacific Railway
station at the future site of the city of Cle Elum was named Clealum after the Kittitas
name Tie-el-Lum, meaning "swift water", referring to the Cle Elum River. In 1908, Clealum was altered to Cle Elum. This spelling came to be used for the river as well.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Yakima River
Yakima River
The Yakima River is a tributary of the Columbia River in south central and eastern Washington State, named for the indigenous Yakama people. The length of the river from headwaters to mouth is , with an average drop of .-Course:...
, approximately 28 miles (45 km) long in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Washington.
The river originates in the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
near Mount Daniel
Mount Daniel
Mount Daniel is the highest summit on the Cascade Range crest of Alpine Lakes Wilderness of the central Washington, USA. It is the highest point in King and Kittitas counties. Streams on its eastern slopes form the headwaters of the Cle Elum River.- Geology :...
and flows generally south, through Hyas Lake. The river is joined by many tributary streams including Waptus River and Cooper River, after which it enters Cle Elum Lake
Cle Elum Lake
Cle Elum Lake is a lake and reservoir along the course of the Cle Elum River, in Washington state USA. Cle Elum Lake is the eastern lake of the three large lakes north of Interstate 90 and the Yakima River in the Cascade Range, the other two being Keechelus Lake and Kachess Lake.Cle Elum Lake is...
. Although a natural lake, Cle Elum Lake's water level and discharge is controlled by Cle Elum Dam, a 165 foot (50 m) high earthfill structure built in 1933. The dam and lake are managed for irrigation purposes by the United States Bureau of Reclamation
United States Bureau of Reclamation
The United States Bureau of Reclamation , and formerly the United States Reclamation Service , is an agency under the U.S...
as part of the Yakima Project. Below the dam, Cle Elum River continues south to join the Yakima River on the west side of the city of Cle Elum
Cle Elum, Washington
Cle Elum is a city in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,872 at the 2010 census. Only an hour and a half's drive from Seattle, Cle Elum is a popular area for camping and outdoor activities.-Early years and industries:...
.
A Northern Pacific Railway
Northern Pacific Railway
The Northern Pacific Railway was a railway that operated in the west along the Canadian border of the United States. Construction began in 1870 and the main line opened all the way from the Great Lakes to the Pacific when former president Ulysses S. Grant drove in the final "golden spike" in...
station at the future site of the city of Cle Elum was named Clealum after the Kittitas
Kittitas
Kittitas may refer to:* Kittitas County, Washington* Kittitas, Washington* Kittitas...
name Tie-el-Lum, meaning "swift water", referring to the Cle Elum River. In 1908, Clealum was altered to Cle Elum. This spelling came to be used for the river as well.