Mortimer Canyon Dam

MORTIMER CANYON CREEK· Harney, Oregon· Built 1951· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Mortimer Canyon Dam is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 58.4% in OR)
Dam Length605 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage212 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge900 cfs
Year Completed1951 (75 years old)
NID IDOR00173

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 7, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

ROBERT SMITH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mortimer Canyon Dam?

Mortimer Canyon 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 Mortimer Canyon Dam?

Mortimer Canyon Dam is owned by ROBERT SMITH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mortimer Canyon Dam built?

Mortimer Canyon Dam was completed in 1951, making it 75 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 Mortimer Canyon Dam?

Mortimer Canyon 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 Mortimer Canyon Dam?

Mortimer Canyon Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Mortimer Canyon Dam last inspected?

Mortimer Canyon Dam was last inspected on June 7, 2017. 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.