Mountain Lake Dam dam
Mountain Lake Dam
Mountain Lake Dam, situated in Olga, Washington, is a state-owned structure managed by the Washington Department of Ecology. Completed in 1905, this earth dam serves as a critical water supply source, with a maximum storage capacity of 3010 acre-feet and a normal storage of 2870 acre-feet. The dam stands at a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a structural height of 16 feet, providing essential water resources for the surrounding community.
This multi-arch dam on Cascade Creek in San Juan County not only fulfills its primary purpose of water supply but also caters to recreational activities in the area. With a surface area of 180 acres and a drainage area of 2.27 square miles, Mountain Lake Dam offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts and water resource aficionados alike. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has been deemed to be in satisfactory condition, as indicated by a recent inspection report in April 2019.
With its serene location and historical significance, Mountain Lake Dam stands as a testament to the enduring importance of water resource management in the face of climate challenges. As a vital infrastructure for water supply and recreation, this earth dam continues to play a crucial role in sustaining the ecosystem and meeting the needs of the local community in the beautiful landscapes of Washington State.
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 Mountain Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nooksack River At Ferndale | 3,450 cfs | → |
| Olsen Creek Near Bellingham | 3 cfs | → |
| Carpenter Creek At N Shore Drive Nr Bellingham | 1 cfs | → |
| Samish River Near Burlington | 126 cfs | → |
| Brannian Creek At S Bay Dr Nr Wickersham | 2 cfs | → |
| Anderson Creek Near Bellingham | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mountain Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Odlin Park Road 177-199, Lopez Island
- Cypress Head Trail Skagit County
- Dock Road 98, San Juan County
- Cayou Quay Marina
- Beach Avenue Whatcom County
- Sylvan Cove Road San Juan County
Campgrounds
- Moran State Park Campground
- Cascadia Marine Trail Campsite
- Snoring Bay Camp
- Fox Cove Camp
- Spencer Spit State Park Campground
- Cascade Marine Trail, Campsite For Human Powered Boats
Paddle runs
- Fish Hatchery To Confluence With South Fork Nooksack River
- Nooksack Falls Power Plant To Fish Hatchery Near Kendall, Wa
- Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 23, T37n, R7e To Confluence With Soufh Fork Nooksack River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Bell Creek
- Bell Creek To Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Nf Boundary
- Canyon Creek To Confluence With North Fork Stillaguamish River
Track Mountain 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 Mountain Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mountain 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 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 Mountain Lake Dam.