Elwick Dam dam
Elwick Dam
Elwick Dam, located in Clallam, Washington, was completed in 1962 and serves as a crucial water resource for the region. Nestled on Jimmycomelately Creek, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 25 feet and has a structural height of 21 feet. With a storage capacity of 33 acre-feet, the dam primarily caters to irrigation and recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 5 acres for leisure activities. Despite its age, Elwick Dam has faced scrutiny for its poor condition assessment and high hazard potential, necessitating frequent inspections to ensure public safety.
Managed by a private entity, Elwick Dam falls under the jurisdiction of the Washington Department of Ecology, ensuring compliance with state regulations for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's location in Congressional District 06, with Representative Derek Kilmer at the helm, highlights the importance of its upkeep and maintenance to mitigate any potential risks associated with its aging infrastructure. Although the dam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, its operational efficiency and emergency preparedness remain key areas of concern for stakeholders involved in its management.
Despite its challenges, Elwick Dam continues to be a popular recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the area. With a serene setting and ample storage capacity for irrigation needs, the dam plays a vital role in supporting the local ecosystem and economy. As discussions around risk assessment and management measures gain traction, the future of Elwick Dam hinges on collaborative efforts between regulatory agencies, private owners, and the community to safeguard this essential water resource for generations to come.
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 Elwick Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dungeness River Near Sequim | 123 cfs | → |
| Big Quilcene River Below Diversion Nr Quilcene | 27 cfs | → |
| Duckabush River Near Brinnon | 60 cfs | → |
| Elwha River Above Lake Mills Nr Port Angeles | 725 cfs | → |
| Elwha River At Mcdonald Br Near Port Angeles | 385 cfs | → |
| Nf Skokomish R Bl Staircase Rpds Nr Hoodsport | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elwick Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Elwick Dam
Where does the data for Elwick 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 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.