Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South dam
Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South
Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South, also known as Widco Dam No. 3c - South, is a significant earth dam located in Centralia, Washington. Completed in 1987, the dam serves as a tailings storage structure with a hydraulic height of 69 feet and a length of 1283 feet. It has a storage capacity of 9600 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 6000 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 72 acres. The dam is situated on Tr-Packwood Creek-Offstream, under the regulatory oversight of the Washington Dept of Ecology.
The dam's hazard potential is classified as significant, but its condition assessment as of August 2020 was reported as satisfactory. Regular inspections are conducted every 5 years to ensure the dam's structural integrity and operational safety. Although no emergency action plan (EAP) information is provided, the dam meets state permitting and inspection requirements, indicating a commitment to proactive risk management and emergency preparedness. With its rock foundation and stone core design, Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South plays a crucial role in managing tailings and protecting the surrounding environment in Lewis County, Washington.
In the event of an emergency, it is essential for stakeholders to be updated on the dam's risk assessment, management measures, and inundation maps. The dam's location within Congressional District 03, Washington, under the representation of Jaime Herrera Beutler, underscores the importance of effective communication and collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the nuances of dam safety and regulatory compliance at Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of water infrastructure in the region.
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 Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skookumchuck River Near Bucoda | 150 cfs | → |
| Nf Newaukum River Above Bear Creek Near Forest | 73 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Bl Bldy Run Cr Nr Centralia | 118 cfs | → |
| Newaukum River Near Chehalis | 233 cfs | → |
| Chehalis River Near Grand Mound | 792 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Rainier | 91 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South.
Boat launches
- Skookumchuck Road Southeast Thurston County
- Boat Launch Road Thurston County
- Willapa Hills Trail Lewis County
- Henslin Drive Southeast 5725, Olympia
- Spanaway Mckenna Highway Pierce County
- Buckley Road 298, Toledo
Campgrounds
- Tenino City Park
- Stan Hedwall Park
- Millersylvania State Park
- Millersylvania State Park Campground
- American Heritage Campground
- Margaret Mckenny Campground
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Sw1/4 Sec 28, T9n, R5e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Boundary In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 32, T11n, R5e
- Goat Rocks Wilderness Bounday To Cowlitz Falls Ferc Project Boundary In Ne1/4 Of Nw1/4 Of Sec 4, T11n, R6e
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To To Point River Reenters Mshnvm In Se 1/4 Of Sec 11, T10n, R5e
- Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 31, T10n, R6e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
- Confluence With Ipsut Creek To Western Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
Track Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South 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 Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South
Where does the data for Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South 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 Significant 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 Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 3c South.