Tolt Dam Early Warning System

Photo of Tolt river
This project will improve the resiliency and reliability of the Tolt Dam Early Warning System.

May 2023 update

Seattle Public Utilities is in the final stages of commissioning the new Tolt Dam Early Warning System.

We are working diligently to make sure the new system meets rigorous standards before it takes over for the old system. This has included testing both the old and new siren systems on Wednesdays at noon since March 2023.

Our plan is to continue these double tests until the new system is completely ready. We expect to be able to fully transition to the new system and turn off and start dismantling the old system this summer.

City of Carnation residents and businesses will be invited to an informational event before the new system fully takes over.

Later this year, we will also begin construction of Phase 2 of the project. Phase 2 will include a variety of additional system components:

  • Two additional outdoor sirens: one at Tolt-MacDonald Park and another near NE 60th St and 322nd Ave NE
  • One new indoor siren at Riverview Learning Center
  • Four new indoor desktop warning units
  • Electronic highway message signs
  • 70 fixed evacuation signs

The project team is working with our partner agencies to secure the necessary permits for these components. Phase 2 of the project is expected to be completed in 2024.

For the latest information about the project, please continue to check this website and subscribe to the project email list.  

Project description

The Tolt Dam Early Warning System alerts residents in the City of Carnation to evacuate in the unlikely event of a dam failure. The first emergency warning system for the Tolt Dam area was implemented in 1978 as a single siren controlled by King County. The City of Seattle took over responsibility for the siren system in 1981 and the first network improvement occurred in 1985. Additional improvements were made in 1993. The capital project will replace the aging system, now in its fifth generation and difficult to maintain, with state-of-the-art technology and equipment that will improve the resiliency, reliability, and security of the emergency warning system.

The project will:

  1. Replace, and improve outdated siren and supporting system components.
  2. Add redundancy, resiliency, and reliability where necessary.
  3. Address consistent evacuation procedures and protocols with additional signage.
  4. Listen and respond to community needs and suggestions.

Location

New outdoor sirens and indoor alerting devices are being installed at key locations within the inundation area. This includes replacing sirens at existing sites and identifying new locations for sirens and highway messages signs.

Here are the locations where the 4 new outdoor sirens and the 5 new indoor sirens (annunciators) have been installed for phase one of the project:

1.    35805 NE 80th St (outdoor siren)

2.    6921 Tolt River Rd NE (outdoor siren)

3.    5502 Tolt River Rd NE (outdoor siren)

4.    32421 E Entwistle St (outdoor siren)

5.    334th Ave NE and Tolt River Road NE (outdoor siren)

6.    4950 Tolt Ave –Elementary School (indoor annunciator)

7.    3740 Tolt Avenue –Middle School (indoor annunciator)

8.    3944 320th Ave NE – Bus Facility (indoor annunciator)

9.    3600 Tolt Ave – Fire Station (indoor annunciator)

Community benefits

This project will improve the resiliency and reliability of the Tolt Early Warning System by upgrading it with state-of-the-art technology and equipment and adding more redundancy in the system. When the project is completed, stakeholders and residents in the Carnation area will have a new emergency warning system that better meets the needs and expectations of the community.

Community engagement and project materials

The team plans to update the Carnation City Council and hold a community meeting in Spring 2023. Stay tuned for more information about these events as they are confirmed online.

Please subscribe to the project email list to receive up-to-date information throughout design and construction. 

ALERT King County: To stay informed about potential hazards and threats that impact the Carnation area, including status updates on the Tolt warning system, sign up for ALERT King County.  

All materials PDF format unless noted as video.

Siren Replacement (existing outdoor and indoor locations)

  • Quarterly community meetings begin 1st Quarter, 2021
  • Design completed 3rd Quarter, 2021
  • FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Permits issued 4th Quarter, 2021
  • Final Design completed 2nd Quarter, 2022
  • Construction completed 1st Quarter, 2023

Other Project Components (highway message signs, additional siren locations, microwave link and data network improvements)

  • Design completed 1st Quarter, 2022
  • FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Permits issued 2nd Quarter, 2023
  • Construction completed 4th Quarter, 2023

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) owns and operates the Tolt Reservoir and Dams, located 16 miles upstream from the City of Carnation on the South Fork Tolt River. The reservoir stores 57,900 acre-ft of water to supply 30% of the drinking water for 1.5 million people in the greater Seattle area. Seattle City Light (SCL) owns and operates a system that generates power from water released from the South Fork Tolt Dam. Both SPU and SCL are bound to Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) requirements.

The Tolt Early Warning System alerts residents in the City of Carnation and in the nearby unincorporated area to evacuate in the unlikely event of a dam failure. The very first siren for the Tolt Dam area was implemented in 1978 as a single siren controlled by King County. The City of Seattle took over responsibility for the siren network in 1981 and the first improved network was installed in 1985. Additional improvements were made in 1993. The aging system, now in its fifth generation, is being replaced.

Public Utilities

Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov

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Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is comprised of three major direct-service providing utilities: the Water Utility, the Drainage and Wastewater Utility, and the Solid Waste Utility.