Barrier Dam dam
Barrier Dam
Barrier Dam, also known as Mayfield Fish Barrier Dam, is a concrete structure located on the Cowlitz River in Toledo, Washington. Built in 1968, this dam serves the primary purpose of creating a fish and wildlife pond, with a normal storage capacity of 455 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 68,350 cubic feet per second. The dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a length of 718 feet, with a spillway width of 318 feet.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Barrier Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem and wildlife populations. With its unique multi-arch design and rock foundation, Barrier Dam is a key component in the conservation efforts along the Cowlitz River, providing essential habitat for fish and wildlife in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be fascinated by Barrier Dam's contribution to the environment, as well as its structural features and operational aspects. This dam not only serves as a barrier for fish migration but also as a reservoir for maintaining water levels and supporting the surrounding ecosystem. Its location within the Portland District and proximity to Lewis County makes Barrier Dam a significant landmark in the region, highlighting the intersection of water resource management and wildlife conservation efforts.
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 Barrier Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cowlitz River Below Mayfield Dam | 4,600 cfs | → |
| South Fork Newaukum River Near Onalaska | 182 cfs | → |
| Tilton River Ab Bear Canyon Creek Near Cinebar | 323 cfs | → |
| Nf Toutle River Below Srs Near Kid Valley | 766 cfs | → |
| South Fork Toutle River At Toutle | 868 cfs | → |
| Nf Newaukum River Above Bear Creek Near Forest | 73 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barrier Dam.
Boat launches
- Mayfield Lake Park Campground Boat Launch
- Ajlune Road Lewis County
- Mcdougall Drive 136, Mossyrock
- Buckley Road 298, Toledo
- Front Street Toledo
- Interstate 5, Toledo
Campgrounds
- Mayfield Lake - Tacoma Power
- Ike Kinswa State Park
- Mossyrock Park - Tacoma Power
- Main Campground
- Kid Valley Campground
- S'Mores Loop
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
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To To Point River Reenters Mshnvm In Se 1/4 Of Sec 11, T10n, R5e
- Goat Rocks Wilderness Bounday To Cowlitz Falls Ferc Project Boundary In Ne1/4 Of Nw1/4 Of Sec 4, T11n, R6e
- Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 31, T10n, R6e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
- (Upper Muddy Segment) Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 10, T8n, R5e To Conflence With Smith Creek
Track Barrier Dam 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 Barrier Dam
Where does the data for Barrier 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 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 Barrier Dam.