John Day Reservoir Dam

JOHN DAY CREEK· Elko, Nevada· Built 1965· Earth· 26 ft tall

Key Takeaway

John Day Reservoir Dam is classified as low hazard in Nevada. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 55.7% in NV)
Dam Length2,400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage561 acre-ft
Surface Area340 acres
Drainage Area28 sq mi
Max Discharge2,140 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDNV00053

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: June 30, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NEVADA DWR

Ownership

HOOPER FRANK

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of John Day Reservoir Dam?

John Day Reservoir Dam 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 John Day Reservoir Dam?

John Day Reservoir Dam is owned by HOOPER FRANK (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was John Day Reservoir Dam built?

John Day Reservoir Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 John Day Reservoir Dam?

John Day Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is John Day Reservoir Dam?

John Day Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 26 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 John Day Reservoir Dam last inspected?

John Day Reservoir Dam was last inspected on June 30, 2021. 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.