Deschutes Dam

Deschutes River· Thurston, Washington· Built 1951· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Deschutes Dam is classified as low hazard in Washington. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.7K acre-ft
Surface Area270 acres
Drainage Area185 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1951 (75 years old)
NID IDWA00143

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: No
Last Inspection: July 1, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Washington Dept of Ecology

Ownership

WA DES

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deschutes Dam?

Deschutes Dam 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 Deschutes Dam?

Deschutes Dam is owned by WA DES (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Deschutes Dam built?

Deschutes Dam was completed in 1951, making it 75 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 Deschutes Dam?

Deschutes Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Deschutes Dam last inspected?

Deschutes Dam was last inspected on July 1, 2016. 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.