Tapps Lake Dike No 14 Dam
Tapps Lake Dike No 14
Tapps Lake Dike No 14, also known as Printz Basin North Dike, is a crucial structure located in Auburn, Washington. Built in 1911, this earth dam stands at 26 feet tall and spans 1450 feet in length, providing essential recreational benefits to the local community. Situated on the Diversion Canal Tr-White River, this dike is regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology, ensuring its safety and compliance with state standards.
With a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 400 acres, Tapps Lake Dike No 14 plays a significant role in managing water resources in the region. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, regular inspections and enforcement ensure that the dike remains structurally sound and safe for public use. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in March 2020, indicating a proactive approach to risk management and preparedness.
In addition to its recreational purpose, Tapps Lake Dike No 14 serves as a vital infrastructure component in Pierce County, Washington. Its location in Congressional District 08 underlines the importance of this earth dam in safeguarding local water resources and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, structures like Tapps Lake Dike No 14 play a crucial role in sustainable water management and resilience planning for the future.
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 Tapps Lake Dike No 14 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Prairie Creek At South Prairie | 56 cfs | → |
| Puyallup River At Alderton | 779 cfs | → |
| Lake Tapps Diversion At Dieringer | 24 cfs | → |
| Boise Creek At Buckley | 11 cfs | → |
| White River Above Boise Creek At Buckley | 533 cfs | → |
| Newaukum Creek Near Black Diamond | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tapps Lake Dike No 14.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
About Tapps Lake Dike No 14
Where does the data for Tapps Lake Dike No 14 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.