Kaufman Dam dam
Kaufman Dam
Kaufman Dam, located in Thurston, Washington, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1967 primarily for recreational purposes. With a structural height of 35 feet and a hydraulic height of 38 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 65 acre-feet. Situated on the Tr-Puget Sound river, the dam covers a surface area of 8 acres and serves a drainage area of 0.31 square miles.
Managed by the Washington Department of Ecology, Kaufman Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as 'Not Rated' for its condition assessment. Despite its recreational purpose, the dam also supports irrigation activities in the surrounding area. While no spillway type is specified, the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 50 cubic feet per second. With no associated structures or inspections reported, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unspecified.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kaufman Dam represents a unique point of interest in Thurston, Washington, showcasing the intersection of water management for recreation and irrigation purposes. The dam's historical significance as a local landmark in the area, as well as its geological and hydrological features, make it an intriguing subject for further study and exploration. As the dam continues to be regulated and inspected by state authorities, its role in water resource management and conservation efforts in the region remains vital for sustainable development and environmental protection.
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 Kaufman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deschutes River At E St Bridge At Tumwater | 165 cfs | → |
| Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 512 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Rainier | 64 cfs | → |
| Chehalis River At Porter | 830 cfs | → |
| Nisqually River At Mckenna | 841 cfs | → |
| Clover Creek Near Tillicum | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kaufman Dam.
Boat launches
- Whitham Road Northeast 7006, Thurston County
- Southeast Arkada Court 30, Shelton
- Henslin Drive Southeast 5725, Olympia
- 6th Avenue Southeast Thurston County
- East Harstine Bridge Road 51, Shelton
- Morris Boulevard Pierce County
Campgrounds
- American Heritage Campground
- Millersylvania State Park Campground
- Millersylvania State Park
- Middle Waddell Campground
- Margaret Mckenny Campground
- Joemma Beach State Park
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Olympic National Park Boundary
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries And Excludes Flapjack Lakes To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
Track Kaufman 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 Kaufman Dam
Where does the data for Kaufman 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 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 Kaufman Dam.