Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5

Tr-Packwood Creek· Lewis, Washington· Built 1971· Earth·
Low Hazard Tailings Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5 is classified as low hazard in Washington. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is tailings.

Physical Details

Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage176 acre-ft
Normal Storage95 acre-ft
Surface Area44 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge356 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDWA00292

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 8, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Washington Dept of Ecology

Ownership

TransAlta Centralia Mining LLC

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5?

Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5?

Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5 is owned by TransAlta Centralia Mining LLC (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5 built?

Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5 was completed in 1971, making it 55 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5?

Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5 serves the following purposes: Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5 last inspected?

Centralia Coal Mine Dam No 5 was last inspected on August 8, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.