The Capitol Lake Dam Future

Olympia’s Capitol Building currently sits around 120ft above sea level. However, the lake that was created to reflect the Capitol Building, the dam that creates the lake, and the park around the lake are only 10 to 20ft above sea level. If sea level rises over 13.12ft as scientists say, these areas that were economically geared to compliment the capitol could one day be under water.Oddly enough, the future distance to the shoreline under 4m sea-level rise conditions, is 495.37ft (150.99m), whereas the past distance was only 14ft further away. Again, distance to future shoreline was measured from backside of dam building along 5th Avenue, parallel to the street, and measuring west.

Recreation

Water Quality

Interestingly enough, the future of the Capitol Lake Dam is being discussed among government officials. The decision is being made as to whether Olympia should keep the dam or turn the area back to its original condition as an estuary. If the decision is estuary restoration, then structural adaptations for sea level rise could possibly be implemented at the same time. Only question is, which will change the scenery of downtown Olympia first, our government or climate change.

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