Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam

Spring Creek· Whatcom, Washington· Built 1988· Earth·
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam is classified as high hazard in Washington. It was completed in 1988 and is 38 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage44 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge800 cfs
Year Completed1988 (38 years old)
NID IDWA01655

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 1, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Washington Dept of Ecology

Ownership

Bellingham City Public Works Dept

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam?

Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam?

Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam is owned by Bellingham City Public Works Dept (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam built?

Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam was completed in 1988, making it 38 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 Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam?

Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam last inspected?

Telegraph Road Stormwater Detention Dam was last inspected on August 1, 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.