Brown Reservoir (Harney)

DRY CREEK· Harney, Oregon· Built 1923· Earth· 32 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Brown Reservoir (Harney) is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1923 and is 103 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 32 ft (taller than 63.9% in OR)
Dam Length190 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area60 acres
Drainage Area18 sq mi
Max Discharge25 cfs
Year Completed1923 (103 years old)
NID IDOR00117

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: August 15, 2012
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF STATE LANDS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Brown Reservoir (Harney)?

Brown Reservoir (Harney) is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Brown Reservoir (Harney)?

Brown Reservoir (Harney) is owned by OREGON DEPARTMENT OF STATE LANDS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Brown Reservoir (Harney) built?

Brown Reservoir (Harney) was completed in 1923, making it 103 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Brown Reservoir (Harney)?

Brown Reservoir (Harney) serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Brown Reservoir (Harney)?

Brown Reservoir (Harney) has a dam height of 32 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Brown Reservoir (Harney) last inspected?

Brown Reservoir (Harney) was last inspected on August 15, 2012. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.