Welcome Lake Dam

Colin Creek· King, Washington· Built 1959· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Welcome Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Washington. It was completed in 1959 and is 67 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 Length165 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage327 acre-ft
Normal Storage155 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,700 cfs
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)
NID IDWA00194

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: September 29, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Washington Dept of Ecology

Ownership

Lake of the Woods Homeowners Association

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Welcome Lake Dam?

Welcome Lake 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 Welcome Lake Dam?

Welcome Lake Dam is owned by Lake of the Woods Homeowners Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Welcome Lake Dam built?

Welcome Lake 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 Welcome Lake Dam?

Welcome Lake 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 Welcome Lake Dam last inspected?

Welcome Lake Dam was last inspected on September 29, 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.