DamTour 2012:    

 

marker 5 ~ Zintel Canyon Dam ~ WA ~  207 mi from PDX - 230 mi Sea-Tac.

The Zintel Canyon Dam is a 90 foot high, 520 foot long, roller compacted concrete detention dam that offers flood control for the city of Kennewick. Known locally as the "Air Dam" it hasn't actually backed up any water since it became operational in 1992 and cost $7.3 million dollars. The dam has a retention capacity of 1260 acre-feet to provide protection for a 100-year event on a 19-square-mile watershed behind the dam to the south and includes a 78-inch buried pipe below the dam through the heart of Kennewick.

Many of us have ridden right past this dam many times on Hwy 395 through Kennewick. The dam can be approached from a variety of directions for pictures day or night, but the best picture is of the back side of the dam. From 40th Avenue and Zintel Way take the gravel road 0.3 miles east to the coordinates provided. Other Photo access: It looks like there is a paved parking spot at an upper gate off of S Union Street that may provide a view of the dam.

Okay, here is a shameless plug for a favorite place of mine... Ice Harbor Brewing Company. They have nice beers, and two locations. They are active with my favorite homebrew club, MCZA (past member) and at the marina location, they offer my favorite food. On Tuesdays, appetizers are half-price, and their Ahi Tuna appetizers are fantastic!! I always plan my trips for Tuesdays. :-)

**Thank you Matt Watkins ...for scouting, and photos and 'dam' text, and the suggestion on this dam.

    GPS:   46.175140°N - 119.184650°W    or    46° 10' 30.50" N - 119° 11' 4.74" W

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