Dams and Fish Ladder

Lake Limerick Community Dam &
Water Management Overview

The Lake Limerick community is built around two man-made lakes—Lake Limerick and Lake Leprechaun—and supported by three key dam structures. These dams work together to create a beautiful and functional residential setting with abundant recreational opportunities. The system is carefully managed to support water-based recreation, fish habitat, flood control, and overall lake health.

Limerick Dam (#MA14-130)

Limerick Dam is an earthen-filled dam that impounds Lake Limerick, the community’s primary lake used for various recreational purposes.

Leprechaun Dam (#MA14-113)

Leprechaun Dam forms Lake Leprechaun and also serves as a residential road.

• Size: 162 feet long, 12.5 feet high, with a 30-foot-wide crest
• Capacity: Holds approximately 86 acre-feet of water
• Features: Includes a 42-inch spillway pipe and a 15-inch slide gate for drainage during repairs
• Water Sources: Supplied by natural springs and two small creeks
• Water Flow: Drains into Lake Limerick

Cranberry Creek Detention Structure (#MA14-594)

Constructed in the 1980s under guidance from Washington State’s Environmental Protection Agency, this structure manages water flow from Cranberry Lake, a natural lake and wetland located west of the community.

• Structure: 220 feet long, 60 feet wide, containing approximately 7,000 cubic yards of fill
• Features: Three 48-inch culverts, including one for fish passage
• Purpose: Regulates flow into Lake Limerick and supports environmental health and fish habitat

Cranberry Creek is an important natural waterway in Mason County, winding its way through the heart of the Lake Limerick community. The creek begins northwest of Lake Limerick, flowing southeast into Cranberry Lake. From there, it continues east into Lake Limerick, passing through the community’s dam and fish ladder, then under Mason Lake Road, through the Olde Lyme neighborhood, and finally south into Oakland Bay.

This scenic creek plays a vital role in local ecology, serving as an excellent salmon spawning stream. Each fall, several species of salmon return to Cranberry Creek, making their way upstream to spawn. These annual runs provide a unique opportunity to witness the cycle of life in action and highlight the importance of preserving local waterways.

For those who want to observe the salmon migration, two of the best viewing areas are the Fish Ladder at Anglia Beach Park and Olde Lyme Park, where visitors can watch salmon working their way upstream.

Cranberry Creek is not only a natural treasure but also a reminder of the strong connection between the Lake Limerick community and its surrounding environment.

Seasonal Water Level Management

Both lakes are managed with a weir board system that helps maintain optimal water levels throughout the year. These adjustments support fish planting, recreational activities, and shoreline protection.

Lake Limerick

• Weir boards are installed beginning in early April, raising the lake level gradually up to 12 inches (no more than 1 inch per day)
• Installation is usually complete by the fourth week of April to align with fish planting and the start of fishing season
• Lake level is monitored daily using a digital data logger
• Weir boards are removed slowly starting as early as mid-September and completed by October 31 to support salmon migration and to mitigate shoreline damage during high water events

Lake Leprechaun

• Six weir boards are installed beginning in April, raising the lake level by approximately 15.25 inches (no more than 1 inch per day)
• Installation is typically complete by mid-April
• Weir boards are removed beginning October 1 and fully removed by October 31

Fish Ladder Coordination

• Lake Limerick’s fish ladder boards are managed by Lake Limerick Country Club during the recreation season
• The Squaxin Tribe manages the fish ladder during salmon migration
• Fish Ladder weir boards are installed last and removed first to ensure consistent water flow for migrating fish