Blue Lake

Sawmill Creek· City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska· Built 1961· Arch· 294 ft tall
High Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Physical Details

Dam Height 294 ft (taller than 97.6% in AK)
Dam Length288 ft
Dam TypeArch
Max Storage266.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage266.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,646 acres
Drainage Area37 sq mi
Max Discharge14,000 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDAK00002

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 1, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

City and Borough of Sitka

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Blue Lake?

Blue Lake is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Who owns Blue Lake?

Blue Lake is owned by City and Borough of Sitka (Local Government).

When was Blue Lake last inspected?

Blue Lake was last inspected on August 1, 2022.

When was Blue Lake built?

Blue Lake was completed in 1961, making it 65 years old.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.