Summit Lake Dam dam
Summit Lake Dam
Summit Lake Dam, located in Thurston, Washington, along Kennedy Creek, was completed in 1955 and serves as a private recreational water resource. With a hydraulic height of 7 feet and a structural height of 3 feet, this earth dam spans 90 feet in length and provides a storage capacity of 1570 acre-feet. The dam, constructed with a stone core on a soil foundation, covers a surface area of 130 acres, offering a serene retreat for water and climate enthusiasts.
Despite its low hazard potential, Summit Lake Dam is regulated and inspected by the Washington Department of Ecology to ensure its safety and compliance with state standards. The dam's last inspection took place in May 1998, with a condition assessment currently marked as "Not Rated." While there are no associated structures or outlet gates, the dam's primary purpose remains focused on recreation, attracting visitors seeking to enjoy the tranquil waters and scenic surroundings of Summit Lake.
With its picturesque location and serene atmosphere, Summit Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resources for recreation and environmental sustainability. As a private entity, the dam continues to offer a peaceful retreat for enthusiasts interested in exploring the intersection of water resources and climate in the beautiful landscape of Thurston, 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 Summit Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deschutes River At E St Bridge At Tumwater | 103 cfs | → |
| Chehalis River At Porter | 475 cfs | → |
| Satsop River Near Satsop | 324 cfs | → |
| Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 231 cfs | → |
| Chehalis River Near Grand Mound | 302 cfs | → |
| North Fork Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 157 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Summit Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Summit Lake Dam
Where does the data for Summit Lake 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 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.