Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure dam
Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure
The Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure in Bonney Lake, Washington, is a critical infrastructure designed by Washington Group to prevent backflow and ensure water supply reliability for the region. This structure, completed in 2007, serves a primary purpose of recreation while also supporting water supply needs. With a hydraulic height of 21.5 feet and a storage capacity of 55,500 acre-feet, the structure plays a crucial role in managing water levels and preventing potential hazards.
Owned and regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology, the Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its operational integrity. With a high hazard potential, the structure's satisfactory condition assessment in 2018 highlights its importance in maintaining public safety and water resource management. Located in Pierce County, Washington, this gravity-type dam stands at 21.5 feet tall and boasts a surface area of 2,570 acres, making it a key component of the region's water infrastructure.
As a vital component of the water supply system in Washington, the Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure is a testament to effective design and engineering for water resource management. With a focus on recreation and water supply, this structure exemplifies the intersection of public utility infrastructure and environmental stewardship. Through ongoing monitoring and maintenance, this structure continues to play a crucial role in ensuring water supply reliability and protecting the surrounding community from potential risks associated with water management.
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 Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Puyallup River At Alderton | 1,070 cfs | → |
| South Prairie Creek At South Prairie | 142 cfs | → |
| Lake Tapps Diversion At Dieringer | 26 cfs | → |
| Boise Creek At Buckley | 9 cfs | → |
| White River Above Boise Creek At Buckley | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Newaukum Creek Near Black Diamond | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure.
Boat launches
- Allan Yorke Park
- Riverside Park Hand Boat Launch
- Southeast Green Valley Road 12507-12565, Auburn
- North Lake Fishing Access Federal Way
- Southeast 296th Street 22601, Black Diamond
- 148th Avenue Southeast Kent
Campgrounds
- Sunset Lake Camp
- Kanaskat Palmer Recreation Area
- Kanaskat-Palmer State Park Campground
- Dash Point Campground
- Dash Point State Park
- Holiday Park Military - Mcchord Afb
Paddle runs
- Huckleberry Creek To Confluence With Clearwater River
- Confluence With Ipsut Creek To Western Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
- 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
- Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Nf/Mt. Ranier Np Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 3, T17 N, R10e To Confluence With Huckleberry Creek
- Snoqualmie Falls To Plum's Landing
Track Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure 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 Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure
Where does the data for Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure 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 Tapps Lake Backflow Prevention Structure.