Mercer

Rickreall Creek· Polk, Oregon· Built 1961· Earth· 79 ft tall

High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mercer is classified as high hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 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	79 ft (taller than 91.9% in OR)
Dam Length	460 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage	1.6K acre-ft

Surface Area	51 acres
Drainage Area	18 sq mi
Max Discharge	8,700 cfs
Year Completed	1961 (65 years old)
NID ID	OR00524

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: October 19, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

City of Dallas

Local Government

Nearby Dams

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Hendrickson

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Maple Grove

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Fern Creek

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Iott Dam

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Turner Dam

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Reimer, William Reservoir

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Abe Ediger Reservoir

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mercer?

Mercer 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 Mercer?

Mercer is owned by City of Dallas (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mercer built?

Mercer was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Mercer?

Mercer 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 Mercer?

Mercer has a dam height of 79 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 Mercer last inspected?

Mercer was last inspected on October 19, 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.