Packwood Lake dam
Packwood Lake
Packwood Lake, located in Lewis County, Washington, is a captivating destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. This hydroelectric reservoir, completed in 1964, serves as a vital source of power generation and recreational activities. With a maximum storage capacity of 6,300 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 3,500 acre-feet, the lake covers a surface area of 453 acres and is fed by Lake Creek and the Cowlitz River.
The Packwood Lake dam, a gravity structure standing at 14 feet in height and 85 feet in length, plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and maintaining the lake's storage levels. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the regulatory aspects of the dam, ensuring its safe operation and periodic inspections. While the hazard potential is considered low, a moderate risk assessment indicates the need for ongoing risk management measures to safeguard the dam and surrounding areas.
Visitors to Packwood Lake can enjoy various recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, and hiking in the picturesque surroundings. The lake's pristine waters and scenic beauty make it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of nature. As a cornerstone of hydroelectric power generation and a haven for recreation, Packwood Lake stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human innovation and natural beauty 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 Packwood Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cowlitz River At Packwood | 1,460 cfs | → |
| Cispus River Ab Yellowjacket Creek Near Randle | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Cowlitz River At Randle | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Nisqually River Near National | 590 cfs | → |
| Cowlitz River Near Kosmos | 4,340 cfs | → |
| Klickitat River Above West Fork Near Glenwood | 286 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Packwood Lake.
Boat launches
- National Forest Development Road 714, Naches
- Peters Road Lewis County
- Lewis County
- Champion Haul Road Lewis County
- Kosmos Road West Lewis County
Campgrounds
- Campground: La Wis Wis
- Campground: Coho Group Camp
- Butter Creek Site
- Soda Springs Campground
- White Pass Lake (Leech Lake) Campground
- White Pass Campground
Paddle runs
- Junction Of Muddy And Clear Forks Cowlitz To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
- Tatoosh Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Clear Fork Cowlitz River
- Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Tatoosh Wilderness Boundary
- Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Muddy Fork Cowlitz River
- Mt. Ranier Np/Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Confluence With Clear Fork Cowlitz River
- Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 9, T14n, R11e To Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Packwood Lake 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 Packwood Lake
Where does the data for Packwood Lake 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 Packwood Lake.