Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 19a Dam
Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 19a
Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 19a, also known as Widco Dam No. 19a, is a public utility structure located in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. This earth dam was completed in 1977 and serves the primary purpose of containing tailings from the nearby coal mine. The dam stands at a hydraulic height of 13 feet and a structural height of 10 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 130 acre-feet.
Situated on Tr-Packwood Creek, Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 19a is regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology and undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement measures. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Despite its modest size, the dam's importance in protecting the surrounding environment and communities cannot be understated.
As an essential component of the local water infrastructure, Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 19a demonstrates the ongoing commitment to water resource management in Washington State. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam exemplifies the engineering expertise of HDR, the designer behind this critical structure. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the proper regulation and maintenance of dams like Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 19a will be vital in safeguarding against potential risks and ensuring sustainable water management for future generations.
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 19a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Newaukum River Above Bear Creek Near Forest | 73 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Bl Bldy Run Cr Nr Centralia | 102 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Near Bucoda | 126 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Near Vail | 41 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Rainier | 49 cfs | → |
| Newaukum River Near Chehalis | 64 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 19a.
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 19a
Where does the data for Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 19a 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.