Skull Creek Reservoir

BIG & SITTLE SKULL CREEKS· Harney, Oregon· Built 1934· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Skull Creek Reservoir 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 30 ft (taller than 58.4% in OR)
Dam Length135 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage820 acre-ft
Normal Storage100 acre-ft
Surface Area82 acres
Drainage Area18 sq mi
Max Discharge160 cfs
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDOR00151

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 6, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

ROARING SPRINGS RANCH, INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Skull Creek Reservoir?

Skull Creek Reservoir 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 Skull Creek Reservoir?

Skull Creek Reservoir is owned by ROARING SPRINGS RANCH, INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Skull Creek Reservoir built?

Skull Creek Reservoir 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 Skull Creek Reservoir?

Skull Creek Reservoir 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 Skull Creek Reservoir?

Skull Creek Reservoir 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 Skull Creek Reservoir last inspected?

Skull Creek Reservoir was last inspected on June 6, 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.