Cle Elum Lake, Washington — Mountain Lake With a Farm Job

Cle Elum Lake looks like a Cascade mountain lake because it is one.

It also works for farms.

A federal dam completed in the 1930s enlarged the natural lake as part of the Yakima Project. Snowmelt stored behind it can be released later when irrigated agriculture downstream needs water.

Campers, boaters and cabin owners experience forest, mountains and reservoir shoreline.

Farmers many miles away experience water storage.

The lake has also become part of efforts to improve fish passage and reconnect salmon and other species with habitat above dams that historically blocked them.

Homes and recreation properties form an inhabited lakeside community.

The water outside their windows is scenic.

It also has a schedule.