Morgan Lake

Sheep Creek & Deal Canyon· Union, Oregon· Built 1976· Earth· 23 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Morgan Lake is classified as high hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1976 and is 50 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 23 ft (taller than 39.8% in OR)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage780 acre-ft
Normal Storage780 acre-ft
Surface Area75 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge8 cfs
Year Completed1976 (50 years old)
NID IDOR00653

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: August 25, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

City of La Grande

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Morgan Lake?

Morgan Lake 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 Morgan Lake?

Morgan Lake is owned by City of La Grande (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Morgan Lake built?

Morgan Lake was completed in 1976, making it 50 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 Morgan Lake?

Morgan Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Morgan Lake?

Morgan Lake has a dam height of 23 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 Morgan Lake last inspected?

Morgan Lake was last inspected on August 25, 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.