Bullard Dam
Bullard Dam is a gravity dam located in Whatcom County, Washington, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bullard Dam
The primary purpose of Bullard Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Cedar Grove Park Assoc (private). It impounds the Tr-padden Creek near Bellingham.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 81 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 39 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/21/2017. That was 8 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
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 | Whatcom |
| Nearest City | Bellingham |
| River/Stream | Tr-padden Creek |
| Coordinates | 48.70782, -122.44134 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 81 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 39 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 39 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 19 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 390 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Cedar Grove Park Assoc |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/21/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WA01087 |
| Federal ID | WA01087 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |