Wrangell Lower

MILL CREEK· City and Borough of Wrangell, Alaska· Built 1968· Rockfill· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Wrangell Lower is classified as high hazard in Alaska. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 Height 28 ft (taller than 49.4% in AK)
Dam Length315 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage102 acre-ft
Normal Storage68 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge533 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDAK00014

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: December 5, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: AKDNR

Ownership

CITY OF WRANGELL

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wrangell Lower?

Wrangell Lower 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 Wrangell Lower?

Wrangell Lower is owned by CITY OF WRANGELL (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wrangell Lower built?

Wrangell Lower was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Wrangell Lower?

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

How tall is Wrangell Lower?

Wrangell Lower 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 Wrangell Lower last inspected?

Wrangell Lower was last inspected on December 5, 2018. 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.