Zosel Dam
Zosel Dam is a gravity dam located in Okanogan County, Washington, built in 1986. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Zosel Dam
The primary purpose of Zosel Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Wa Ecy (state). It impounds the Okanogan River near Within Oroville City Limits.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 366 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5,800 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 77,298 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,150 square miles. Completed in 1986, the structure is 40 years 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 10/30/2019.
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 | Okanogan |
| Nearest City | Within Oroville City Limits |
| River/Stream | Okanogan River |
| Coordinates | 48.93349, -119.41980 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 366 ft |
| Year Completed | 1986 (40 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 77,298 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 77,298 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 55,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5,800 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,150 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 18,225 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | WA ECY |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/30/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WA00556 |
| Federal ID | WA00556 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |