Bully Creek

BULLY CREEK· Malheur, Oregon· Built 1962· Earth· 121 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Bully Creek is classified as high hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 121 ft (taller than 95.8% in OR)
Dam Length3,070 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage38.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage30.0K acre-ft
Surface Area985 acres
Drainage Area550 sq mi
Max Discharge10,000 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDOR00578

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 6, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bully Creek?

Bully Creek is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bully Creek?

Bully Creek is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bully Creek built?

Bully Creek was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Bully Creek?

Bully Creek serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bully Creek?

Bully Creek has a dam height of 121 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 Bully Creek last inspected?

Bully Creek was last inspected on August 6, 2020. 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.