Mud Mountain Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mud Mountain Dam |
|
|---|---|
View of the back of the dam from day-use park.
|
|
| Location | King County, Washington, USA |
| Construction began | 1939 |
| Opening date | 1948 |
| Operator(s) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | White River |
| Height | 432 ft (132 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Mud Mountain Lake |
| Total capacity | 106,000 acre⋅ft (131,000,000 m3) |
The Mud Mountain Dam is a large dam located in King County, Washington. It sits a few miles southeast of a town called Enumclaw. This important dam holds back the waters of the White River. Its main job is to help control floods.
About Mud Mountain Dam
The Mud Mountain Dam was completed in 1948. It was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, a group that builds and manages many public works projects in the U.S. The idea for the dam was approved by the government in 1936.
Building the dam started in 1939. However, work was paused because of World War II. When it was finished, the dam was 432 feet (132 meters) tall. This made it the tallest dam of its kind in the world at that time. It was built using a mix of rock and earth.
Why Was the Dam Built?
Mud Mountain Dam protects the areas downstream from flooding. These areas include the lower White River and Puyallup River valleys. Before the dam, these valleys often flooded. This happened after heavy rains or when a lot of snow melted quickly.
Farmers in the 1800s faced big problems with the White River. It would flood their lands and even change its path. To solve these issues, experts decided a dam was needed. The dam now holds back extra water. It then releases the water slowly and safely.
Mud Mountain Lake and Recreation
The area behind the dam is called Mud Mountain Lake. It is a special kind of lake. Most of the time, it's just the normal flow of the White River. This means the lakebed is usually dry.
However, when there's a lot of rain or snowmelt, the lake fills up with water. This helps prevent floods downstream. The Corps of Engineers also runs a park at the dam. It's called the Mud Mountain Recreational Area.
This park is a great place to visit for the day. It has picnic spots where families can eat. There are also exhibits that teach you about the dam and the area. Plus, you can explore over ten miles of hiking trails.
