Jays Pond Dam dam
Jays Pond Dam
Jays Pond Dam, located in San Juan, Washington, serves as a crucial water supply source for the region. Completed in 1973, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 9 feet and a structural height of 8 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 19 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is water supply, although it also supports recreational activities in the area.
Managed by a private owner, Jays Pond Dam falls under the regulatory oversight of the Washington Department of Ecology. With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2018, the dam undergoes inspections every five years to ensure its safety and functionality. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in May 2019, indicating a commitment to preparedness and risk management.
Despite its modest surface area of 3.1 acres and drainage area of 0.03 square miles, Jays Pond Dam plays a significant role in water resource management in the region. Its presence on Tr-Deer Harbor ensures a stable water supply for the community while also offering opportunities for recreational enjoyment. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of dams like Jays Pond Dam are essential for sustainable water management in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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.
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 Jays Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nooksack River At Ferndale | 3,120 cfs | → |
| Samish River Near Burlington | 107 cfs | → |
| Olsen Creek Near Bellingham | 2 cfs | → |
| Carpenter Creek At N Shore Drive Nr Bellingham | 1 cfs | → |
| Fishtrap Creek At Front Street At Lynden | 24 cfs | → |
| Skagit River Near Mount Vernon | 17,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jays Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Cayou Quay Marina
- Dock Road 98, San Juan County
- San Juan County
- Saint John's Road San Juan County
- Odlin Park Road 177-199, Lopez Island
Campgrounds
- Moran State Park Campground
- Cascadia Marine Trail Campsite
- Spencer Spit State Park Campground
- Fox Cove Camp
- Snoring Bay Camp
- Shallow Bay South
Paddle runs
- Fish Hatchery To Confluence With South Fork Nooksack River
- Sleepy Hollow Creek To Olympic Nf Boundary
- Nooksack Falls Power Plant To Fish Hatchery Near Kendall, Wa
- Usfs Road 2870 Bridge To Confluence With Dungeness River
- Olympic Nf/Olympic Np Boundary To Usfs Road 2870 Bridge
- 1.4 Miles Upstream From Confluence With Elwha River To Confluence With Elwha River
Track Jays Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Jays Pond Dam
Where does the data for Jays Pond 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 above 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Jays Pond Dam.