Somerville, The Reservoir

SPRING CREEK· Malheur, Oregon· Built 1912· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Somerville, The Reservoir is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 58.4% in OR)
Dam Length250 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area334 acres
Drainage Area34 sq mi
Max Discharge900 cfs
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDOR00019

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: October 28, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

2003 RAINE REVOCABLE TRUST

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Somerville, The Reservoir?

Somerville, The 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 Somerville, The Reservoir?

Somerville, The Reservoir is owned by 2003 RAINE REVOCABLE TRUST (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Somerville, The Reservoir built?

Somerville, The Reservoir was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Somerville, The Reservoir?

Somerville, The 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 Somerville, The Reservoir?

Somerville, The 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 Somerville, The Reservoir last inspected?

Somerville, The Reservoir was last inspected on October 28, 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.