Upper Baker -auxiliary Dike

About Upper Baker -auxiliary Dike

The primary purpose of Upper Baker -auxiliary Dike 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 Puget Sound Energy (private). It impounds the Baker River near Concrete.

The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 2,700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4,980 acres, and has a storage capacity of 274,221 acre-feet.

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 08/25/2022.

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.

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