Coldwater Debris Dam dam
Coldwater Debris Dam
Coldwater Debris Dam, located in Castle Rock, Washington, was completed in 1981 by the US Army Corps of Engineers to primarily serve as a flood control structure on the North Fork of Coldwater Creek. This federal-owned earth dam stands at an impressive height of 200 feet and has a hydraulic height of 170 feet, with a length of 4200 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 78,700 acre-feet, with a spillway width of 40 feet for uncontrolled release of excess water.
Managed by the Forest Service, Coldwater Debris Dam is crucial in mitigating flood risks in the region, although its hazard potential and condition assessment remain undetermined and not rated, respectively. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating a potential for adverse consequences in the event of a failure. While the dam has not been regularly inspected since 2011, its emergency action plan status and adherence to guidelines are unknown, raising concerns about the readiness for potential emergencies.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Coldwater Debris Dam to be a significant structure in flood management on the North Fork of Coldwater Creek. As a key federal-owned asset, the dam's structural integrity and emergency preparedness are essential considerations for ensuring the safety and protection of surrounding communities and the environment in the face of changing climate conditions and extreme weather events.
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 Coldwater Debris Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cowlitz River Near Kosmos | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Nf Toutle River Below Srs Near Kid Valley | 114 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek Below Clear Creek Near Cougar | 150 cfs | → |
| Speelyai Creek Near Cougar | 7 cfs | → |
| Lewis River Above Muddy River Near Cougar | 270 cfs | → |
| South Fork Toutle River At Toutle | 868 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Coldwater Debris Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Coldwater Debris Dam
Where does the data for Coldwater Debris 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 Undetermined 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.