Lyle Reservoir

WILSON CREEK· Jefferson, Oregon· Built 1911· Gravity· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Lyle Reservoir is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1911 and is 115 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 7.2% in OR)
Dam Length740 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage103 acre-ft
Normal Storage103 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area50 sq mi
Max Discharge140 cfs
Year Completed1911 (115 years old)
NID IDOR00029

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: March 5, 1990
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

R. DUNSMORE

Private

Nearby Dams

Fuston Ranch Dam

Jefferson, OR

Significant Hazard 30 ft

Brewer Reservoir (Jefferson)

Jefferson, OR

Significant Hazard 30 ft

Little Willow Creek Reservoir

Jefferson, OR

Low Hazard 43 ft

Madras Wwt Lagoon

Jefferson, OR

Low Hazard 25 ft

Metolius (Lagoon)

Jefferson, OR

Low Hazard 13 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lyle Reservoir?

Lyle 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 Lyle Reservoir?

Lyle Reservoir is owned by R. DUNSMORE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lyle Reservoir built?

Lyle Reservoir was completed in 1911, making it 115 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 Lyle Reservoir?

Lyle 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 Lyle Reservoir?

Lyle 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.

When was Lyle Reservoir last inspected?

Lyle Reservoir was last inspected on March 5, 1990. 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.