Copeland Reservoir

BUTTE CREEK· Malheur, Oregon· Built 1917· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Copeland Reservoir is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1917 and is 109 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 7.2% in OR)
Dam Length1,006 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage265 acre-ft
Normal Storage265 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area31 sq mi
Max Discharge126 cfs
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)
NID IDOR00763

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

DOI BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Copeland Reservoir?

Copeland Reservoir 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 Copeland Reservoir?

Copeland Reservoir is owned by DOI BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Copeland Reservoir built?

Copeland Reservoir was completed in 1917, making it 109 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 Copeland Reservoir?

Copeland Reservoir 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 Copeland Reservoir?

Copeland Reservoir has a dam height of 12 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.

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.