Lawrence Lake Dam dam
Lawrence Lake Dam
Lawrence Lake Dam, located in Thurston, Washington, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1918, this structure stands at a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a length of 120 feet, providing storage for up to 5,000 acre-feet of water from the Tr-Deschutes River. With a surface area of 330 acres and a drainage area of 3.35 square miles, this dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing recreational opportunities in the Vail area.
Managed by the Washington Department of Ecology, Lawrence Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. While the dam has not been inspected in recent years, it is regulated, permitted, and inspected by the state authorities, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite its age, Lawrence Lake Dam continues to serve as a vital resource for water storage and outdoor recreation in the region.
Overall, Lawrence Lake Dam is a significant earth dam with a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. As a key feature of the landscape in Thurston County, this dam provides essential water storage capacity for recreational activities while being closely monitored and regulated by state authorities. With its unique design and strategic location along the Tr-Deschutes River, Lawrence Lake Dam remains a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest.
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 Lawrence Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deschutes River Near Rainier | 39 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Near Vail | 33 cfs | → |
| Centralia Power Canal Near Mckenna | 23 cfs | → |
| Nisqually River At Mckenna | 758 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Bl Bldy Run Cr Nr Centralia | 102 cfs | → |
| Nisqually River At La Grande | 742 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lawrence Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Lawrence Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lawrence 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 below 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.
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.