Maher Dam

FIELD CREEK· Malheur, Oregon· Built 1934· Earth· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation State Government

Key Takeaway

Maher Dam is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 12.5% in OR)
Dam Length420 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Surface Area50 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge2,900 cfs
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDOR00118

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

OREGON DEPT OF STATE LANDS

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Maher Dam?

Maher 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 Maher Dam?

Maher Dam is owned by OREGON DEPT OF STATE LANDS (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Maher Dam built?

Maher Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Maher Dam?

Maher Dam 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 Maher Dam?

Maher Dam has a dam height of 14 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.