Skagit Lake Dam dam
Skagit Lake Dam
Skagit Lake Dam, also known as Lake Tyee, is a privately owned structure located in Birdsview, Skagit County, Washington. Completed in 1971, this earth dam primarily serves recreational purposes, offering a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy. Situated on Grandy Creek, the dam has a hydraulic height of 19 feet and a structural height of 17 feet, with a length of 330 feet. It has a maximum storage capacity of 343 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 258 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 42 acres.
Managed by the Washington Department of Ecology, Skagit Lake Dam is classified as low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years and has not had its emergency action plan (EAP) updated. While the dam is regularly inspected, there are currently no detailed reports on its condition or risk assessment available. As a prominent feature in the region, the dam contributes to the overall water resource management in the area and plays a vital role in supporting the local ecosystem.
As climate and water resource enthusiasts explore the Skagit Lake Dam, they can appreciate its historical significance and the efforts put into its construction and maintenance over the years. With its tranquil surroundings and recreational opportunities, the dam offers a unique experience for visitors to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of sustainable water management practices. As the Washington Department of Ecology continues to oversee its regulation and inspection, the Skagit Lake Dam remains a key component in the region's water infrastructure, showcasing the harmonious balance between human recreation and environmental preservation.
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 Skagit Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skagit River Near Concrete | 16,300 cfs | → |
| Sauk River Near Sauk | 3,530 cfs | → |
| Skagit River At Marblemount | 6,850 cfs | → |
| Cascade River At Marblemount | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Bacon Creek Below Oakes Creek Near Marblemount | 432 cfs | → |
| Skookum Creek Above Diversion Near Wickersham | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Skagit Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Baker River Road 6323, Concrete
- Pressentin Road 40500-40592, Concrete
- North Cascades Highway 49341, Concrete
- Whatcom County
- National Forest Development Road Whatcom County
- National Forest Development Road 012 Whatcom County
Campgrounds
- Grandy Lake Campground
- Anderson Point Campsites
- Rasar State Park
- Horseshoe Cove
- Horseshoe Cove Campground
- Bayview Campground
Paddle runs
- Bell Creek To Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Bell Creek
- Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 23, T37n, R7e To Confluence With Soufh Fork Nooksack River
- Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Nf/North Cascades Np Boundary To Baker Lake
- Blum Creek To Baker Lake
- Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 36, T37n, R9e To South Section Line Of Sec 24, T36n, R10e
Track Skagit Lake 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 Skagit Lake Dam
Where does the data for Skagit Lake 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 Skagit Lake Dam.