Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir dam
Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir
The Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir, located in Skagit, Washington, serves as a crucial offstream water supply source. Constructed in 1958, this Earth-type dam stands at a hydraulic height of 28 feet, with a storage capacity of 37 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 25 acre-feet and a surface area of 5 acres, this reservoir plays a vital role in providing water for various industrial needs.
Managed by a private entity, this reservoir is regulated by the Washington Dept of Ecology and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement procedures. Despite its low hazard potential and current "Not Rated" condition assessment, the reservoir's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and risk management measures remain unspecified. With its location in the Seattle District and under Congressional District 02, Washington, this water storage facility stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As a significant water supply infrastructure in the area, the Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir underscores the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its reliability and safety. With its historical significance dating back to 1958 and its capacity to store up to 37 acre-feet of water, this reservoir is a key component in supporting industrial operations in Skagit, Washington. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the importance of such structures in promoting sustainable water management practices and addressing the challenges of a changing climate.
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 Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skagit River Near Mount Vernon | 13,600 cfs | → |
| Samish River Near Burlington | 90 cfs | → |
| Brannian Creek At S Bay Dr Nr Wickersham | 1 cfs | → |
| Anderson Creek Near Bellingham | 3 cfs | → |
| Olsen Creek Near Bellingham | 1 cfs | → |
| Carpenter Creek At N Shore Drive Nr Bellingham | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir.
Boat launches
- State Route 20 899, Skagit County
- 210 Anacortes
- Boat Launch Road, Anacortes
- T Avenue 209, Anacortes
- Snee-Oosh Road Skagit County
- Skagit County
Campgrounds
- Quaker Cove Retreat
- Bay View State Park
- Washington Park Campground
- Cascade Marine Trail, Campsite For Human Powered Boats
- Larrabee State Park
- Lizard Lake Camp
Paddle runs
- Canyon Creek To Confluence With North Fork Stillaguamish River
- Fish Hatchery To Confluence With South Fork Nooksack River
- Bell Creek To Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Bell Creek
- Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 23, T37n, R7e To Confluence With Soufh Fork Nooksack River
- Nooksack Falls Power Plant To Fish Hatchery Near Kendall, Wa
Track Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir 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 Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir
Where does the data for Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir 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 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 Shell Refinery Water Storage Reservoir.