Blue Lake Dam (Blue Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Blue Lake
NID ID: AK00002
Longitude: -135.19167
Latitude: 57.06333
Map Section: T55S, R64E, S35
County: SITKA DIVISION
River: SAWMILL CREEK
State: AK
Nearest City: NONE
Owner Name: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA
Owner Type: Local Government
Dam Designer: CAREY AND KRAMER
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Arch
Core: Homogeneous Dam (Position)
Concrete (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: RK
Purposes: Hydroelectric
Year Completed: 1961
Dam Length: 256 feet
Dam Height: 144 feet
Structural Height: 210 feet
Hydraulic Height: 136 feet
Maximum Discharge: 14000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 145200 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 145200 acre-feet
Surface Area: 1225 acres
Drainage Area: 37 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-06-12
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? No
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 140 feet
Federal Regulatory Agency:
Federal Inspection Agency:
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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