Fish Barrier Dam

Baker River· Skagit, Washington· Built 1959· Concrete· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Other Private

Key Takeaway

Fish Barrier Dam is classified as low hazard in Washington. It was completed in 1959 and is 67 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 25% in WA)
Dam Length150 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage84 acre-ft
Normal Storage84 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area215 sq mi
Max Discharge35,000 cfs
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)
NID IDWA00769

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: July 12, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Puget Sound Energy

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fish Barrier Dam?

Fish Barrier 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 Fish Barrier Dam?

Fish Barrier Dam is owned by Puget Sound Energy (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fish Barrier Dam built?

Fish Barrier Dam was completed in 1959, making it 67 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 Fish Barrier Dam?

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

How tall is Fish Barrier Dam?

Fish Barrier Dam has a dam height of 19 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Fish Barrier Dam last inspected?

Fish Barrier Dam was last inspected on July 12, 2022. 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.