Cushman No 2 dam
Cushman No 2
Cushman No 2, also known as Lower Cushman Dam, is a captivating hydroelectric facility located in Mason County, Washington. Completed in 1930, this arch dam stands at a structural height of 275 feet, with a hydraulic height of 215 feet, harnessing the power of the North Fork Skokomish River to generate electricity and provide recreational opportunities. With a storage capacity of 8,800 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 41,050 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Owned by a public utility, Cushman No 2 is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with a high hazard potential due to its location and design. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition with regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures in place. The surrounding area, including the Skokomish Indian Reservation, benefits from the dam's presence, contributing to both energy production and water recreation activities. As a key component of the region's water infrastructure, Cushman No 2 stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the Pacific Northwest.
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 Cushman No 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 254 cfs | → |
| South Fork Skokomish River Near Union | 172 cfs | → |
| Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 512 cfs | → |
| Nf Skokomish R Bl Staircase Rpds Nr Hoodsport | 118 cfs | → |
| Wynoochee River Near Grisdale | 214 cfs | → |
| Duckabush River Near Brinnon | 155 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cushman No 2.
Boat launches
- Us 101 Mason County
- Highway 106 5101, Union
- East Way To Tipperary Street 204, Mason County
- 3041 E Mason Lake Dr E, Grapeview, Wa 98546
- Lorna Lee Way Mason County
Campgrounds
- Potlach State Park Campground
- Potlatch State Park
- Camp Cushman
- Oxbow Rustic
- Brown Creek Horse Campground
- Brown Creek
Paddle runs
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
- Headwaters To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Olympic National Park Boundary
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries And Excludes Flapjack Lakes To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
Track Cushman No 2 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 Cushman No 2
Where does the data for Cushman No 2 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 Cushman No 2.