Swofford Pond

Sulfer Creek ( Cowlitz River)· Lewis, Washington· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Fish And Wildlife Pond Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Swofford Pond is classified as low hazard in Washington. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 27.2% in WA)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.5K acre-ft
Surface Area209 acres
Max Discharge0 cfs
NID IDWA00136

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: June 28, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

City of Tacoma

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Mossyrock

Lewis, WA

High Hazard 366 ft

Long Bell Mill Pond Dam

Lewis, WA

Low Hazard

Mayfield

Lewis, WA

High Hazard 200 ft

Koa Dam No 1

Lewis, WA

Low Hazard

Mayfield Plunge Pool Barrier

Lewis, WA

Low Hazard 14 ft

Thode Dam

Lewis, WA

High Hazard

Barrier Dam

Lewis, WA

Low Hazard 12 ft

Mount St. Helens Sediment Retention Structure

Cowlitz, WA

High Hazard 186 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Swofford Pond?

Swofford Pond 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 Swofford Pond?

Swofford Pond is owned by City of Tacoma (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Swofford Pond?

Swofford Pond serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Swofford Pond?

Swofford Pond has a dam height of 20 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 Swofford Pond last inspected?

Swofford Pond was last inspected on June 28, 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.