Galesville

Cow Creek, Umpqua River· Douglas, Oregon· Built 1985· Gravity· 163 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Galesville is classified as high hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1985 and is 41 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 163 ft (taller than 97.3% in OR)
Dam Length950 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage117.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage41.9K acre-ft
Surface Area640 acres
Drainage Area73 sq mi
Max Discharge45,700 cfs
Year Completed1985 (41 years old)
NID IDOR00748

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: May 3, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Douglas County, Oregon

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Galesville?

Galesville 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 Galesville?

Galesville is owned by Douglas County, Oregon (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Galesville built?

Galesville was completed in 1985, making it 41 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 Galesville?

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

How tall is Galesville?

Galesville has a dam height of 163 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 Galesville last inspected?

Galesville was last inspected on May 3, 2022. 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.