Description - Lake Walllula lies directly behind McNary Dam. It extends 64 miles upstream to the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site (about 27 miles above Pasco, Washington), on the Columbia River. The lake also extends 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 shore line. The lake has a normal operating range between 340 and 335 mean sea level.
- At McNary Lock and Dam, visitors can view migrating fish and tour the powerhouse and navigation lock on the Columbia River. Sacajawea State Park is on one of the campsites of Lewis and Clark. Visit the Whitman Mission National Monument and Historic Site nearby.
Recreation - Viewing migrating fish and touring the powerhouse and navigation lock on the Columbia River are some of the activities available at McNary Lock and Dam.
Climate - The climate of Washington varies within each region. The Cascades split the state and alter the weather patterns. The mountains receive large amounts of wet, heavy snow from October through May. These peaks remain snow covered throughout the year. The terrain east of the mountains receives approximately 12 inches of rainfall per year, generally much less than west of the mountains. Since the area east of the mountains is landlocked, temperatures in this region are lower during the winter months. Frequent winds coming down from the mountains also contribute to the low temperatures of eastern Washington.
Due to the coastal geography, western Washington is primarily temperate. The proximity to the ocean stabilizes the climate, making extreme temperatures very rare. The area receives large amounts of precipitation from Pacific rain and snow storms.
From Umatilla, travel 2 miles east on Oregon Hwy. 730. A map is available above on this wildernet page.