Washington Lakes Rivers State Map

An Overview of Washington State's Rivers & Lakes

Largest and Famous Water Features

Washington State is home to some of the largest and most famous rivers and lakes in the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia River is perhaps the most well-known, flowing along or through counties such as Klickitat, Skamania, Benton, Franklin, Grant, Stevens, and Ferry Counties, while also forming major portions of the state’s southern border. The river serves as a key source for hydroelectric power, irrigation, and commercial navigation. Lake Washington, located primarily in King County and partially in Snohomish County, is a major freshwater lake that supports recreation, municipal water supply, and urban development near Seattle and Bellevue. Other notable water features include Puget Sound, which borders counties such as Whatcom, Skagit, Island, Kitsap, Pierce, Thurston, and Jefferson, and the Snake River, which forms part of the boundary between Asotin County and neighboring states. These rivers and lakes play significant roles in Washington State’s economy, recreation, and natural beauty.

Water Sources for Washington State's Rivers and Lakes

Washington State’s rivers, lakes, and streams are largely fed by mountain snowmelt from the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains. Counties such as Chelan, Kittitas, Skagit, Snohomish, and Pierce rely heavily on seasonal snowpack to sustain rivers like the Wenatchee, Yakima, and Skagit. The Columbia River, however, has headwaters in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and flows through multiple states before entering Washington State in Ferry and Stevens Counties. Snowmelt-fed systems provide critical seasonal water flow to agricultural regions in Yakima, Grant, Benton, and Franklin Counties, while reservoirs along the Columbia River store water originating both locally and from distant watersheds. This blend of mountain snowpack and rainfall ensures a dependable water supply across both western and eastern Washington State.

Types of Rivers in Washington State

Washington State has a wide variety of river types. Perennial rivers such as the Columbia River in Benton and Klickitat Counties and the Snake River in Asotin County flow year-round. Exotic rivers, including the Columbia, transport water from outside the state into Washington’s interior basins. Tributary rivers like the Yakima River in Yakima and Kittitas Counties and the Wenatchee River in Chelan County feed into larger systems that support agriculture and hydropower. Distributary systems are common near Puget Sound, particularly in Skagit County, where the Skagit River branches as it approaches tidewater. Man-made canal systems tied to the Columbia Basin Project distribute water throughout Grant, Adams, and Franklin Counties for irrigation and agricultural use.

Types of Lakes in Washington State

Washington State contains numerous lake types shaped by glacial, volcanic, and human processes. Glacial lakes such as Lake Chelan in Chelan County were carved by massive ice sheets during the last Ice Age and are among the deepest lakes in the United States. Volcanic lakes, including Spirit Lake in Cowlitz and Skamania Counties, were formed by eruptions associated with Mount St. Helens. Anthropogenic lakes such as Banks Lake in Grant County were created through dam construction for irrigation and power generation. Cirque lakes, found throughout Whatcom, Skagit, and Chelan Counties in the North Cascades, occupy steep mountain basins and contribute to alpine ecosystems and recreation.

River Directions in Washington State

Many of Washington State’s major rivers, including the Columbia and Snake, generally flow east to west across counties such as Spokane, Grant, Benton, and Klickitat before turning south or west toward the Pacific Ocean. In contrast, rivers such as the Skagit and Nooksack flow primarily north to south through Skagit and Whatcom Counties, draining into Puget Sound or directly into the ocean. These flow patterns reflect the influence of the Cascade Mountains and Olympic Mountains, which divide the state into distinct watersheds. Rivers flowing toward Puget Sound primarily serve western counties, while east–west rivers support the Columbia Basin and eastern Washington State.



Natural and Man-made Lakes in Washington State

Washington State features both natural and man-made lakes, with many of the largest reservoirs located in eastern counties. Lake Roosevelt, formed by the Grand Coulee Dam, extends through Ferry, Stevens, and Lincoln Counties and plays a central role in irrigation, flood control, and hydropower. Natural lakes such as Lake Washington in King County and Lake Chelan in Chelan County have existed for thousands of years and support dense population centers and tourism. State and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Reclamation, constructed numerous man-made lakes throughout Grant, Adams, and Franklin Counties as part of long-term water management and agricultural development strategies.

Waterways and Transportation in Washington State

While Washington State’s rivers are not widely used for passenger transportation, they remain vital to regional commerce. The Columbia and Snake rivers support barge traffic through counties such as Whitman, Walla Walla, Franklin, and Benton, allowing grain, timber, and agricultural products to reach ports in Clark and Cowlitz Counties. The Columbia–Snake River System serves as one of the most important inland waterways in the United States, supplementing road and rail infrastructure and reducing transportation costs for agricultural producers in eastern Washington State.

Dam Purposes in Washington State

Washington State contains numerous dams designed for hydroelectric power, irrigation, flood control, and recreation. The Grand Coulee Dam in Grant County is among the largest concrete structures in the world and supplies electricity and irrigation water across central Washington. Additional dams along the Columbia River in counties such as Chelan, Douglas, and Klickitat generate power for millions of residents. Dams on the Snake River in Asotin and Whitman Counties include fish ladders and migration systems designed to support salmon populations while balancing energy and agricultural needs.

Recreational Uses of Washington’s Waterways

Washington's rivers, lakes, and reservoirs offer a wealth of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking, jet skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Lake Chelan, Lake Washington, and the Columbia River are among the most popular for water-based recreation. The Yakima River is a favorite for fishing, especially for trout, while the Columbia River is a prime spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Houseboating is also popular on larger reservoirs, such as Banks Lake, providing both locals and tourists with ample recreational opportunities.

Agriculture and Water Support in Washington State

Washington State’s agricultural productivity depends heavily on rivers and reservoirs. The Yakima River Basin, spanning Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, supports extensive orchards, vineyards, and hop fields. Irrigation systems supplied by the Columbia River and managed through canals and reservoirs in Grant, Franklin, and Adams Counties provide water to millions of acres of farmland. These water resources allow Washington State to remain one of the leading agricultural producers in the nation, particularly in drier eastern regions where natural rainfall is limited.

Pollution Problems in Washington State's Waterways

Several waterways in Washington State have experienced pollution challenges related to industrial activity, agriculture, and urban development. The Duwamish River in King County is a designated Superfund site due to historical contamination from manufacturing and shipping operations. Agricultural runoff has affected water quality in rivers such as the Yakima in Yakima County and sections of the Columbia River in Benton and Franklin Counties. Cleanup and restoration efforts led by state and federal agencies continue across multiple counties, with an emphasis on improving water quality, restoring fish habitat, and ensuring long-term sustainability of Washington State’s waterways.

Washington State's Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Reservoirs and Water Features


Columbia River (WA), WA Snake River (WA), WA Yakima River, WA Spokane River, WA Okanogan River, WA Pend Oreille River (WA), WA Skagit River, WA Sauk River, WA Snohomish River, WA Skykomish River, WA Snoqualmie River, WA Stillaguamish River, WA Puyallup River, WA Nisqually River, WA Cowlitz River, WA Lewis River (WA), WA Chehalis River, WA Quinault River, WA Queets River, WA Hoh River, WA Dosewallips & Duckabush Rivers, WA Dungeness River, WA Klickitat River, WA Walla Walla River, WA Lake Washington, WA Lake Union, WA Lake Chelan, WA Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, WA Banks Lake, WA Potholes Reservoir, WA Moses Lake, WA Priest Rapids & Wanapum pools (Columbia), WA Riffe Lake, WA Mayfield Lake, WA Merwin, Yale, Swift reservoirs (Lewis), WA Ross Lake, WA Diablo Lake, WA


Sources and References