Frd No 38

About Frd No 38

The primary purpose of Frd No 38 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Elk River Wjd No 47 (local government). It impounds the South Branch-elk River near Elk Falls.

The dam stands 58 feet tall and stretches 2,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,426 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1977, the structure is 49 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/19/2024.

At 58 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.

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