Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 36a Dam
Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 36a
Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 36a, also known as Widco Dam No. 36a, is a public utility-owned structure located in Centralia, Washington. Completed in 1989, this earth dam serves as a tailings storage facility for the nearby coal mine operations. With a height of 14 feet and a hydraulic height of 12 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet and covers an area of 18 acres.
Situated on Hanaford Creek-Offstream, this dam is regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition has not been formally assessed. The surrounding area has a drainage area of 0.1 square miles, with a maximum discharge capacity of 120 cubic feet per second.
Located in Congressional District 03, Washington, Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 36a plays a crucial role in managing tailings from the coal mining operations in the region. While the dam's primary purpose is tailings storage, its design features stone core and soil foundations. As a key component of the local water resource infrastructure, this dam underscores the importance of sustainable management practices and regular maintenance to ensure the safety and reliability of water resources in the area.
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 36a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skookumchuck River Near Bucoda | 124 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Bl Bldy Run Cr Nr Centralia | 102 cfs | → |
| Nf Newaukum River Above Bear Creek Near Forest | 73 cfs | → |
| Chehalis River Near Grand Mound | 295 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Rainier | 39 cfs | → |
| Newaukum River Near Chehalis | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 36a.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 36a
Where does the data for Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 36a 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.