Whitman Lake
Whitman Lake is a dam located in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, built in 1927. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Whitman Lake
The primary purpose of Whitman Lake 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 Ketchikan Public Utilities (public utility). It impounds the Whitman Creek.
The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 220 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 148 acres, has a storage capacity of 1,440 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1927, 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 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 39 feet, this dam is taller than 86% 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 |
| River/Stream | Whitman Creek |
| Coordinates | 55.33249, -131.53135 |
Physical Characteristics
| NID Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Length | 220 ft |
| Year Completed | 1927 (99 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,440 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,440 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 148 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Ketchikan Public Utilities |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/23/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AK00012 |
| Federal ID | AK00012 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |