Pilcher Creek

ANTHONY AND PILCHER CREEKS· Union, Oregon· Built 1984· Earth· 110 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Pilcher Creek is classified as high hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 110 ft (taller than 94.6% in OR)
Dam Length2,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.9K acre-ft
Surface Area222 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge514 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDOR00688

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 24, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

POWDER VALLEY WATER CONTROL DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pilcher Creek?

Pilcher Creek 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 Pilcher Creek?

Pilcher Creek is owned by POWDER VALLEY WATER CONTROL DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pilcher Creek built?

Pilcher Creek was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Pilcher Creek?

Pilcher Creek 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 Pilcher Creek?

Pilcher Creek has a dam height of 110 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 Pilcher Creek last inspected?

Pilcher Creek was last inspected on August 24, 2020. 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.