Serene Lake dam
Serene Lake
Serene Lake, located in Pierce County, Washington, is a private water resource primarily used for recreation. The dam at Serene Lake is an earth structure with a hydraulic height of 9 feet and a structural height of 6 feet. Completed in 1971, the dam has a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 25 acres. The lake is fed by Tr-Murray Creek and has a low hazard potential.
Managed by the Washington Department of Ecology, Serene Lake is state-regulated, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes in place to ensure its safety and compliance. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam meets guidelines and is equipped with emergency action plans. The risk assessment and management measures for Serene Lake are still under evaluation, providing an opportunity for further enhancement of the lake's safety and sustainability.
In the Congressional District 08 of Washington, Serene Lake offers a serene and picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts and climate advocates to enjoy nature and recreational activities. With its tranquil waters and lush surroundings, Serene Lake serves as a valuable water resource for the community while also highlighting the importance of responsible stewardship and conservation in the face of changing climate patterns.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Serene Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nisqually River At Mckenna | 834 cfs | → |
| Centralia Power Canal Near Mckenna | 17 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Rainier | 61 cfs | → |
| Clover Creek Near Tillicum | 28 cfs | → |
| North Fork Clover Creek Near Parkland | · | → |
| Nisqually River At La Grande | 800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Serene Lake.
Boat launches
- Spanaway Mckenna Highway Pierce County
- 62nd Avenue Court East 39001, Eatonville
- 6th Avenue Southeast Thurston County
- American Lake Boat Launch
- State Game Road 11999, Pierce County
- Henslin Drive Southeast 5725, Olympia
Campgrounds
- Brightwood Train Cars
- Fort Lewis Military
- Holiday Park Military - Mcchord Afb
- Camp Murray Beach Military
- Alder Lake - Tacoma Power
- Tenino City Park
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Ipsut Creek To Western Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
- Huckleberry Creek To Confluence With Clearwater River
- Headwaters On The Nw Slope Of Mount Rainier At Carbon Glacier To Confluence With Ipsut Creek
- Headwaters In The Mystic Lake Basin On The North Side Of Mount Rainier To Northern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
- Goat Rocks Wilderness Bounday To Cowlitz Falls Ferc Project Boundary In Ne1/4 Of Nw1/4 Of Sec 4, T11n, R6e
- Headwaters At The Terminus Of The Ingraham Glacier To Ends 1/4 Mile North Of Box Canyon
Track Serene Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Serene Lake
Where does the data for Serene Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Serene Lake.