Diablo dam
Diablo
Diablo is a captivating hydroelectric facility located in Newhalem/Diablo, Washington, along the Skagit River. Built in 1929, this concrete dam stands at an impressive height of 389 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 50,000 acre-feet. With a maximum discharge of 105,300 cubic feet per second, Diablo plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction, recreation, and providing a habitat for fish and wildlife.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Diablo's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 380 feet and 19 Tainter radial gates for water release. Despite its high hazard potential, the condition assessment and risk management measures for Diablo are not currently available, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of this vital water resource.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Diablo offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure, energy production, and environmental stewardship. As a key player in the Pacific Northwest's hydropower network, Diablo stands as a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of its designer, Lars Jorgensen, while also serving as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with managing water resources in a changing climate.
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 Diablo -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder Creek Near Newhalem | 547 cfs | → |
| Skagit River At Newhalem | 5,320 cfs | → |
| Newhalem Creek Near Newhalem | 30 cfs | → |
| Bacon Creek Below Oakes Creek Near Marblemount | 370 cfs | → |
| Cascade River At Marblemount | 766 cfs | → |
| Skagit River At Marblemount | 6,350 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Diablo.
Boat launches
- Marblemount Boat Launch
- National Forest Development Road 1150 Whatcom County
- National Forest Development Road 1142 Whatcom County
- National Forest Development Road 11, Concrete
- National Forest Development Road 012 Whatcom County
- National Forest Development Road Whatcom County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Begins Below Gorge Powerhouse To Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary
- Begins Upstream Of The Diversion Dam (Rm 1) To Confluence With Skagit River
- Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5) To Confluence With Skagit River
- Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary To Slack Water Of Ross Lake
- Confluence Of Canyon And Granite Creeks To Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary
- Headwaters To Ends Upstream Of The Diversion Dam (Rm 1)
More reservoirs
Track Diablo 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 Diablo
Where does the data for Diablo 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 High 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 Diablo.