Nielsen Dam A dam
Nielsen Dam A
Nielsen Dam A, also known as Cross Dike, is a privately owned earth dam located in Bothell, Washington. Completed in 1950, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes along the Tr-Sammamish River. With a hydraulic height of 15 feet and a storage capacity of 73 acre-feet, it offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities in Snohomish County.
Managed and regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology, Nielsen Dam A has been deemed to have a low hazard potential and is currently in a not-rated condition assessment. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors, with a normal storage capacity of 45 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 16 cubic feet per second. Its location in the scenic surroundings of the Sammamish River watershed adds to its appeal as a recreational destination for locals and tourists alike.
While there is limited data available on the structural details and maintenance history of Nielsen Dam A, its presence contributes to the overall water management and conservation efforts in the region. With its proximity to the Sammamish River and the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in the area, this dam serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem and a valuable resource for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Nielsen Dam A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thornton Creek Near Seattle | 41 cfs | → |
| Snohomish River Near Monroe | 6,190 cfs | → |
| Mercer Creek Near Bellevue | 12 cfs | → |
| Pilchuck River Near Snohomish | 255 cfs | → |
| Snoqualmie River Near Carnation | 1,440 cfs | → |
| Issaquah Creek Near Mouth Near Issaquah | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nielsen Dam A.
Boat launches
- 68th Avenue Northeast 17181-17299, Kenmore
- Beach Drive Northeast 17218, Lake Forest Park
- East Shore Drive Snohomish County
- Sammamish River Trail Redmond
- West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast Redmond
- High Bridge, Monroe
Campgrounds
- Fay Bainbridge State Park Campsite
- Fay Bainbridge State Park
- Flowing Lake County Park
- Site 40
- Site 39
- Site 38
Paddle runs
- Snoqualmie Falls To Plum's Landing
- Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 14, T29n, R10e To Confluence With Canyon Creek
- Confluence With Taylor River To Confluence With North Fork Snoqualmie River
- Wagner Bridge To Confluence With Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
- Canyon Creek To Confluence With North Fork Stillaguamish River
- Confluence Of Tye And Foss Rivers To Gold Bar
Track Nielsen Dam A 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 Nielsen Dam A
Where does the data for Nielsen Dam A 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 Nielsen Dam A.