Swano Lake Dam
Swano Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Grays Harbor County, Washington, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Swano Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Swano Lake Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Wa Grays Harbor College (state). It impounds the Tr-charley Creek near Within Aberdeen City Limits.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 78 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1949, 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 11/12/2024.
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 | Grays Harbor |
| Nearest City | Within Aberdeen City Limits |
| River/Stream | Tr-charley Creek |
| Coordinates | 46.95435, -123.80135 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 78 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 78 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 308 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | WA Grays Harbor College |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/12/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WA00547 |
| Federal ID | WA00547 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |