Wynoochee dam
Wynoochee
Wynoochee, a gravity dam located in Grays Harbor, Washington, is a key water resource and climate infrastructure owned by the local government. Built in 1972 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this dam serves multiple important purposes including water supply, flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement. With a maximum storage capacity of 76,000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 69,405 acre-feet, Wynoochee plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam, standing at a height of 175 feet and stretching 1,700 feet in length, has a controlled spillway with a width of 64 feet. The structure is designed to withstand high hazard potential and is regularly inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its age, Wynoochee remains a vital component of the local water supply infrastructure, providing essential services to the surrounding community while also supporting ecological and recreational activities along the Wynoochee River.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure across the country, the role of dams like Wynoochee in managing water supply, flood risks, and ecosystem health becomes increasingly critical. With its strategic location and multifaceted benefits, Wynoochee stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of a changing climate.
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 Wynoochee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wynoochee River Near Grisdale | 214 cfs | → |
| Wynoochee River Above Save Creek Near Aberdeen | 308 cfs | → |
| Quinault River At Quinault Lake | 920 cfs | → |
| South Fork Skokomish River Near Union | 172 cfs | → |
| Nf Skokomish R Bl Staircase Rpds Nr Hoodsport | 118 cfs | → |
| North Fork Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 254 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wynoochee.
Boat launches
- National Forest Development Road 2294, Montesano
- South Shore Road 419, Quinault
- South Shore Road 345, Quinault
- C D Hanson Road, Humptulips
- Us 101 Mason County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Quinault River
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Graves Creek
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Downstream From The End Of Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
- Headwaters To Southern Boundary Of Olympic National Park
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
Track Wynoochee 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 Wynoochee
Where does the data for Wynoochee 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 Wynoochee.