Skookumchuck dam
Skookumchuck
Skookumchuck, a privately owned hydroelectric facility located in Bucoda, Washington, harnesses the power of the Skookumchuck River for energy production. Built in 1970, this Earth dam stands at a height of 160 feet and has a storage capacity of 35,000 acre-feet. With a surface area of 540 acres and a drainage area of 62 square miles, Skookumchuck plays a crucial role in meeting water supply needs and supporting fish and wildlife habitats in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Skookumchuck's spillway, with a width of 130 feet, ensures controlled water release during periods of high discharge, minimizing the risk of flooding in the surrounding area. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the facility's moderate risk assessment indicates that appropriate risk management measures are in place. While the condition assessment is currently unavailable, regular inspections and emergency action plans are in place to ensure the safety and reliability of the dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Skookumchuck serves as a prime example of sustainable energy production and water management practices. Its innovative design and operational effectiveness highlight the importance of balancing economic development with environmental conservation. As a key player in the region's water infrastructure, Skookumchuck continues to play a vital role in meeting the growing energy demands while protecting the natural ecosystem of the Skookumchuck River.
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 Skookumchuck -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skookumchuck River Bl Bldy Run Cr Nr Centralia | 102 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Rainier | 64 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Near Vail | 56 cfs | → |
| Nf Newaukum River Above Bear Creek Near Forest | 73 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Near Bucoda | 124 cfs | → |
| Nisqually River At Mckenna | 841 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Skookumchuck.
Boat launches
- Skookumchuck Road Southeast Thurston County
- Boat Launch Road Thurston County
- Spanaway Mckenna Highway Pierce County
- Henslin Drive Southeast 5725, Olympia
- Willapa Hills Trail Lewis County
- 6th Avenue Southeast Thurston County
Campgrounds
- Tenino City Park
- Millersylvania State Park
- Millersylvania State Park Campground
- Brightwood Train Cars
- American Heritage Campground
- Stan Hedwall Park
Paddle runs
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Boundary In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 32, T11n, R5e
- Goat Rocks Wilderness Bounday To Cowlitz Falls Ferc Project Boundary In Ne1/4 Of Nw1/4 Of Sec 4, T11n, R6e
- Headwaters In Sw1/4 Sec 28, T9n, R5e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To To Point River Reenters Mshnvm In Se 1/4 Of Sec 11, T10n, R5e
- Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 31, T10n, R6e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
- Confluence With Ipsut Creek To Western Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
Track Skookumchuck 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 Skookumchuck
Where does the data for Skookumchuck 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 Skookumchuck.