Thode Dam dam
Thode Dam
Thode Dam, located in Lewis, Washington, was completed in 1987 and stands at a hydraulic height of 12.1 feet, serving as a crucial off-stream barrier on Mill Creek. With a total length of 450 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 24 acre-feet, this private-owned earth dam plays a pivotal role in water resource management in the region. The dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Washington Department of Ecology, ensuring its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its fair condition assessment and a high hazard potential, Thode Dam is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 4.12 cubic feet per second. Its emergency action plan was last revised in April 2021, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and risk management. With a history of periodic inspections and a designated inspection frequency of 5 years, the dam remains a vital infrastructure for water storage and flood control in the area. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Thode Dam to be a captivating example of human intervention in maintaining sustainable water systems in Washington.
In the face of changing climatic conditions and increasing water stress, Thode Dam represents a critical piece of infrastructure for water resource enthusiasts to study and understand. Its role in managing water flow, storage, and flood control on Mill Creek highlights the importance of thoughtful design, regulation, and maintenance in ensuring the long-term viability of water resources. As climate enthusiasts explore the intersection of infrastructure and environmental conservation, Thode Dam stands as a tangible example of human ingenuity and responsibility in safeguarding water sources for future generations.
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 Thode Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Newaukum River Near Onalaska | 182 cfs | → |
| Cowlitz River Below Mayfield Dam | 4,600 cfs | → |
| Tilton River Ab Bear Canyon Creek Near Cinebar | 323 cfs | → |
| Nf Newaukum River Above Bear Creek Near Forest | 73 cfs | → |
| Skookumchuck River Near Vail | 79 cfs | → |
| Nf Toutle River Below Srs Near Kid Valley | 766 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thode Dam.
Boat launches
- Mayfield Lake Park Campground Boat Launch
- Ajlune Road Lewis County
- Mcdougall Drive 136, Mossyrock
- Buckley Road 298, Toledo
- Skookumchuck Road Southeast Thurston County
- Front Street Toledo
Campgrounds
- Ike Kinswa State Park
- Mayfield Lake - Tacoma Power
- Mossyrock Park - Tacoma Power
- Main Campground
- S'Mores Loop
- Riffe Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Track Thode 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 Thode Dam
Where does the data for Thode 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 Thode Dam.