Lower Dewey

Dewey Creek· Municipality of Skagway, Alaska· Built 1905· Timber Crib· 28 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Lower Dewey is classified as low hazard in Alaska. It was completed in 1905 and is 121 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 49.4% in AK)
Dam Length602 ft
Dam TypeTimber Crib
Max Storage650 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge220 cfs
Year Completed1905 (121 years old)
NID IDAK00009

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: June 5, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Alaska Power and Telephone Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Dewey?

Lower Dewey 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 Lower Dewey?

Lower Dewey is owned by Alaska Power and Telephone Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower Dewey built?

Lower Dewey was completed in 1905, making it 121 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 Lower Dewey?

Lower Dewey serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lower Dewey?

Lower Dewey has a dam height of 28 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 Lower Dewey last inspected?

Lower Dewey was last inspected on June 5, 2019. 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.