Des Moines Creek Stormwater Detention Da

About Des Moines Creek Stormwater Detention Da

The primary purpose of Des Moines Creek Stormwater Detention Da 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 Port Of Seattle (local government). It impounds the Des Moines Creek near Des Moines.

The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 950 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 21 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1989, the structure is 37 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 07/15/2015. That was 10 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.

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.