Solmar Lake Dam dam
Solmar Lake Dam
Solmar Lake Dam, located in Clallam, Washington, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Washington Dept of Ecology for its recreational purposes. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 16 feet and stretches 400 feet in length, holding a storage capacity of 38 acre-feet for the Tr-McDonald Creek. Its high hazard potential is mitigated by a satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2015, with inspections conducted every five years.
The dam's design, with a stone core and soil foundation, provides a structural height of 16 feet to maintain normal storage levels of 34 acre-feet over a 7-acre surface area. While no spillway information is available, the dam's maximum discharge capacity is recorded at 6 cubic feet per second. Despite its potential risks, Solmar Lake Dam has yet to undergo modifications since its completion, reflecting a stable operational history that aligns with its primary purpose of recreation for the local community and visitors.
In the congressional district represented by Derek Kilmer, Solmar Lake Dam remains a key feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts, serving as both a recreational hub and a regulated infrastructure for environmental stewardship. With continued state inspection and enforcement, this dam stands as a testament to responsible ownership and management in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region.
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 Solmar Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dungeness River Near Sequim | 316 cfs | → |
| Elwha River At Mcdonald Br Near Port Angeles | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Elwha River Above Lake Mills Nr Port Angeles | 725 cfs | → |
| Big Quilcene River Below Diversion Nr Quilcene | 69 cfs | → |
| Duckabush River Near Brinnon | 236 cfs | → |
| Nf Skokomish R Bl Staircase Rpds Nr Hoodsport | 213 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Solmar Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Cline Spit Road 1-199, Sequim
- Port Williams Road 2499, Sequim
- Olympic Discovery Trail, Sequim
- Ediz Hook Road, Port Angeles
- Gardiner Beach Road 551-781, Sequim
- U.S. 101 286423, Quilcene
Campgrounds
- Camp Tapawingo
- Louella Cabin
- Sequim Bay State Park Camping
- Dungeness Forks Campground
- Sequim Bay State Park
- Dungeness Forks
Paddle runs
- Sleepy Hollow Creek To Olympic Nf Boundary
- Usfs Road 2870 Bridge To Confluence With Dungeness River
- Olympic Nf/Olympic Np Boundary To Usfs Road 2870 Bridge
- Silver Creek To Sleepy Hollow Creek
- Forest Road 2860 Bridge To Silver Creek
- 1.4 Miles Upstream From Confluence With Elwha River To Confluence With Elwha River
Track Solmar Lake Dam 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 Solmar Lake Dam
Where does the data for Solmar Lake Dam 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 Solmar Lake Dam.