Diablo Dam, Washington, United States

4Alec D 5:00 PM May 4, 2019

90+ year old Diablo Dam is an interesting stop on route 20
Diablo Dam is located in the North Cascades. It is a little less then 100 years old. The power from the dam serves the city of Seattle. It's an interesting and beautiful stop if you happen to be on route 20.

4Steve5863 5:00 PM Jan 20, 2016

At One Time, the Tallest Dam in the World
Diablo Dam, at a height 389 feet (118.6m), was the tallest dam in the world when it was completed in 1930. While the dam can be seen from Diablo Lake Overlook, a large pullout along the North Cascades Highway (WA-20) which overlooks the reservoir it holds back, a much closer look is possible by driving the short road down into the gorge then across the top of the dam itself. Near mile marker 127, Diablo Dam Road heads north (follow the signs for the Environmental Learning Center), down the side of the gorge, then across the top of Diablo Dam, where there is an area for parking; while the road is paved it is steep at first then very narrow as it crosses the dam. From the peaceful far side, we were able to get a close-up look at the dam with its Art Deco style street lamps along the roadway created by the dam, and the reservoir with its waters turned turquoise by its glacial flour content, fine rock powder created by the erosional forces of the glaciers high above that is suspended in the water.