Youngs Lake Outlet Dam dam
Youngs Lake Outlet Dam
Youngs Lake Outlet Dam, also known as South Dam, is a vital structure owned by the local government in Auburn, Washington. Built in 1921, this earth dam on Little Soos Creek stands at a height of 30 feet with a hydraulic height of 33 feet, serving primarily for water supply purposes. With a storage capacity of 35,450 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.19 square miles, the dam has a significant impact on the surrounding environment.
The dam's condition assessment in June 2019 deemed it satisfactory, but its hazard potential is classified as high. The last inspection highlighted its structural integrity, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in December 2020, ensuring preparedness in case of any unforeseen events. The location in King County, Washington, and the close proximity to the Seattle District underline the importance of this dam in the region's water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
Youngs Lake Outlet Dam plays a crucial role in the water supply infrastructure of Auburn, Washington, ensuring a reliable source of water for the community. Its historical significance, combined with its high hazard potential, emphasizes the need for regular inspections and maintenance to uphold its structural integrity and safeguard against potential risks. As climate change impacts continue to affect water resources, the dam's management by the Washington Department of Ecology underscores the importance of proactive measures to address evolving challenges in water resource management and climate adaptation.
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 Youngs Lake Outlet Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek At Earthworks Park At Kent | 1 cfs | → |
| Spring Brook Creek At Orillia | 6 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Maple Valley | 2 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Mouth At Orillia | 6 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek At Highway 516 Near Ravensdale | 11 cfs | → |
| Big Soos Creek Above Hatchery Near Auburn | 83 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Youngs Lake Outlet Dam.
Boat launches
- Shady Lake Boat Ramp
- 148th Avenue Southeast Kent
- Southeast 296th Street 22601, Black Diamond
- Lake Fenwick Trail Kent
- Southeast Green Valley Road 12507-12565, Auburn
- King County
Campgrounds
- Kanaskat-Palmer State Park Campground
- Point Robinson Campground
- Kanaskat Palmer Recreation Area
- Dash Point State Park
- Dash Point Campground
- Tolt-Macdonald Park Campground
Paddle runs
- Snoqualmie Falls To Plum's Landing
- Wagner Bridge To Confluence With Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
- Confluence With Taylor River To Confluence With North Fork Snoqualmie River
- Huckleberry Creek To Confluence With Clearwater River
- Quartz Road To Confluence With Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road
Track Youngs Lake Outlet 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 Youngs Lake Outlet Dam
Where does the data for Youngs Lake Outlet 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 Youngs Lake Outlet Dam.