Franzen

OFF CHANNEL· Marion, Oregon· Built 1952· Earth· 31 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Franzen is classified as high hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 31 ft (taller than 62.3% in OR)
Dam Length2,040 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge375 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDOR00613

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: November 24, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

CITY OF SALEM

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Franzen?

Franzen 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 Franzen?

Franzen is owned by CITY OF SALEM (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Franzen built?

Franzen was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Franzen?

Franzen serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Franzen?

Franzen has a dam height of 31 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 Franzen last inspected?

Franzen was last inspected on November 24, 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.