Map of All 109 Alaska Dams
Alaska has 109 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 31 are classified as high hazard (28% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 4 Alaska dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Alaska dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Alaska to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Alaska Dams by the Numbers
- 109 total dams in Alaska
- 31 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 42 significant hazard
- 36 low hazard
- 11 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (8 poor, 3 unsatisfactory)
- 4 Alaska dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Alaska
The tallest dam in Alaska is Fort Knox Tailings Dam at 350 feet, completed in 1996. The 10 tallest Alaska dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Knox Tailings Dam | 350 ft | 1996 | Water Supply | Fair | Fairbanks North Star Borough |
| Blue Lake | 294 ft | 1961 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | City and Borough of Sitka |
| Green Lake | 210 ft | 1982 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | City and Borough of Sitka |
| Red Dog Tailings Main Dam | 208 ft | 1993 | Tailings | Satisfactory | Northwest Arctic Borough |
| Terror Lake | 193 ft | 1984 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Kodiak Island Borough |
| Salmon Creek | 175 ft | 1914 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | City and Borough of Juneau |
| Swan Lake | 174 ft | 1984 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Ketchikan Gateway Borough |
| Bradley Lake Dam | 125 ft | 1991 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Kenai Peninsula Borough |
| Solomon Gulch | 115 ft | 1981 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Chugach Census Area |
| Bradley Lake Spillway Dam | 115 ft | 1991 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Kenai Peninsula Borough |
High-Hazard Alaska Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 4 dams in Alaska. Notable examples:
- Wrangell Upper (28 ft, City and Borough of Wrangell County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Wrangell Lower (28 ft, City and Borough of Wrangell County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Alitak Cannery Dam #1 (9 ft, Kodiak Island Borough County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Explorer Glacier Pond Dam (7 ft, Municipality of Anchorage County) — Fish and Wildlife Pond, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Alaska
Dam safety in Alaska is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Alaska?
Alaska has 109 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 31 high hazard, 42 significant hazard, and 36 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Alaska?
The tallest dam in Alaska is Fort Knox Tailings Dam at 350 feet, completed in 1996. It is primarily a water supply structure.
How many Alaska dams are in poor condition?
11 Alaska dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 4 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
