Blair Reservoir Dam
Blair Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Benton County, Washington, built in 1937. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Blair Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Blair Reservoir Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Kennewick Irrigation District (public utility). It impounds the Tr-columbia River near Kennewick.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 480 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 130 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1937, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/12/2021.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Washington dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Washington |
| County | Benton |
| Nearest City | Kennewick |
| River/Stream | Tr-columbia River |
| Coordinates | 46.17224, -119.10649 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 480 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 250 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Kennewick Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 10/12/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WA00059 |
| Federal ID | WA00059 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |