Yelm Canal Dike dam
Yelm Canal Dike
The Yelm Canal Dike in Washington is a crucial piece of infrastructure for hydroelectric purposes along the Nisqually River. This earth dam, standing at a height of 35 feet, was completed in 1930 and has a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet. With a spillway width of 12 feet and controlled spillway type, this structure plays a significant role in managing water flow and ensuring the safety of downstream areas.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Yelm Canal Dike has been inspected as recently as October 2020 and is deemed to have a high hazard potential. Despite its age, this dam remains vital for water resource management in the region. Emergency action plans are in place, although details on condition assessment and risk management measures are not currently available. The surrounding area is at very high risk, indicating the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance of this critical infrastructure to protect both the environment and local communities.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like the Yelm Canal Dike is essential for appreciating the complexities of water management in a changing climate. This dam not only serves a functional purpose for hydroelectric power generation but also plays a key role in flood control and water storage. With its high hazard potential and very high risk rating, it is evident that ongoing attention and investment are needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of this crucial component of the water infrastructure in Thurston County, Washington.
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 Yelm Canal Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nisqually River At Mckenna | 799 cfs | → |
| Centralia Power Canal Near Mckenna | 24 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Rainier | 39 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River At E St Bridge At Tumwater | 103 cfs | → |
| Clover Creek Near Tillicum | 13 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Bl Bldy Run Cr Nr Centralia | 102 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yelm Canal Dike.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Yelm Canal Dike
Where does the data for Yelm Canal Dike 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 High 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.