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Friday, Sep. 25, 4:00 p.m.

We understand the stress and disruption that power outages can cause. Crews have been assessing damage and restoring power throughout the day, even as new outages continue to occur.

Today's storm had its greatest impact in Thurston County, where stronger-than-forecast winds and trees with full foliage caused widespread outages. As of this afternoon, approximately 50,000 customers are without power. Crews continue to assess damage, remove hazards and make repairs; efforts include working to restore a transmission outage that impacted three substations. New outages could occur as the weather system moves through our service area.

When will my power be restored? 

We know you need information to make plans. In a storm, it can take at least 24 hours after the weather has passed to provide initial estimated restoration times. Our first step is damage assessment: understanding the extent of damage and determining what repairs are needed. Teams are deployed as soon as conditions are safe, while crews also restore power where repairs can be made immediately.

Visit PSE’s Alerts and Advisories page for more information: pse.com/alerts. 

Download the PSE App to track and report outages or visit pse.com/outagemap.


alert 

Safety first:

  • Never touch or go within 35 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized.
  • Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems.
  • If you’re using portable heaters, keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials.
  • Always use flashlights instead of candles.
  • Be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning: Never install or use a generator indoors or in enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even those that are ventilated.

Baker Lake and Lake Shannon

The Baker River Basin

One of the Pacific Northwest's most scenic forest and mountain landscapes, the Baker River Basin is located in the Cascade Mountains in northwest Washington. Here, on a tributary of the Skagit River, the two dams of our Baker River Hydroelectric Project form two picturesque reservoirs, Baker Lake and Lake Shannon.

Nature lovers enjoy a variety of recreational activities in the area around the lakes, including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, swimming and winter sports. The easily accessible area features observation viewpoints, interpretation facilities and many opportunities for studying nature.

PSE Baker River Recreation Sites
2026 Schedule
Site Location Open Closed
Baker River Club House Visitors Center Concrete 5/6 9/27
Kulshan Campground Dry Sites Baker Lake 4/20 9/27
Kulshan Campground Water/Sewer Sites Baker Lake 5/22 9/27
Lake Shannon Day-Use Park Lake Shannon 4/20 9/27
Kulshan (West Pass Dike) Boat Launch Baker Lake Year-round
Glover Mountain Overlook and Trail Baker Lake Year-round
Lake Shannon Boat Launch Lake Shannon Year-round

Baker Lake

Nine-mile-long Baker Lake sits on the Baker River about eight miles north of Concrete, Wash., just off the North Cascades Highway (SR 20). Map It.

The area offers several amenities. There are several developed campgrounds including PSE’s Kulshan Campground with dry sites open seasonally. Kulshan Campground provides approximately 108 tent and RV sites available on a first-come-first-served basis. There are five boat launches located along the lake’s western shore available for public use.

The Baker Lake Trail extends along the eastern shoreline for eight miles before crossing the Baker River at the lake's north end. You can find the 312-foot-high Upper Baker Dam and West Pass Dike at the south end of the lake.

Lake Shannon

With densely forested hills and rugged ridges, Lake Shannon extends seven miles northward from nearby Concrete. Lower Baker Dam rises 285 feet and spans a narrow, steep-sided gorge at the south end of Lake Shannon. Map It.

Road access is limited. PSE's public boat launch on the eastern shore currently provides the only developed amenity on the reservoir. Informal recreational activities such as hiking and fishing are permitted, except where otherwise posted.

To learn more about Baker Lake and Lake Shannon recreational services and winter-closure updates, contact:

National Park Service
North Cascades National Park
nps.gov/noca
1-360-854-7200 ext. 0

U.S. Forest Service
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
fs.fed.us/r6/mbs
1-360-856-5700 ext. 515

Puget Sound Energy
Baker River Recreation
1-360-416-2410

Kulshan Campground Information

No reservations allowed, first-come-first-served only

23 dry sites and 80 hook up (water/sewer only, no power) sites available

2 vehicle maximum per site

$30 site fee per night, Senior (55+) and Veteran discounts honored

Baker Lake