Tapps Lake Dike No 2a
Tapps Lake Dike No 2a is an earth dam located in Pierce County, Washington, built in 1911. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Tapps Lake Dike No 2a
The primary purpose of Tapps Lake Dike No 2a is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Cascade Water Alliance (public utility). It impounds the Diversion From White River near Auburn.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 290 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,570 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 53,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 square miles. Completed in 1911, the structure is over a century 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 05/19/2022.
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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Washington |
| County | Pierce |
| Nearest City | Auburn |
| River/Stream | Diversion From White River |
| Coordinates | 47.24968, -122.18751 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 290 ft |
| Year Completed | 1911 (115 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 53,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 53,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 46,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,570 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Cascade Water Alliance |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/19/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WA00419 |
| Federal ID | WA00419 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |