Ketchikan Lakes is a rockfill dam located in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, built in 1957. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 34 ft34 ft tall and 1,163 ft long, taller than 78% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic rockfill embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Ketchikan Lakes
The primary purpose of Ketchikan Lakes is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by City of Ketchikan (public utility). It impounds the Ketchikan Creek near Ketchikan, Ak.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 1,163 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 632 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 13,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1957, 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 06/23/2022.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 78% of dams nationwide.
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 Alaska 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 | Alaska |
| County | Ketchikan Gateway Borough |
| Nearest City | Ketchikan, Ak |
| River/Stream | Ketchikan Creek |
| Coordinates | 55.35984, -131.62135 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,163 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 13,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 13,300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11,463 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 632 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | City of Ketchikan |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/23/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AK00006 |
| Federal ID | AK00006 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |