Chaplain Lake South Dam
Chaplain Lake South Dam is an earth dam located in Snohomish County, Washington, built in 1930. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Chaplain Lake South Dam
The primary purpose of Chaplain Lake South Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Everett City Public Works (local government). It impounds the Chaplain Creek near Sultan.
The dam stands 75 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 450 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 18,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1930, 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 07/31/2024.
At 75 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Snohomish |
| Nearest City | Sultan |
| River/Stream | Chaplain Creek |
| Coordinates | 47.94437, -121.83097 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1930 (96 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 18,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 18,200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 16,200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 450 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 660 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Everett City Public Works |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/31/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WA00197 |
| Federal ID | WA00197 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |