South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir

S. FK. COTTONWOOD CREEK· Malheur, Oregon· Built 1961· Gravity·
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Length110 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage9 acre-ft
Normal Storage18 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Max Discharge131 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDOR00703

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: September 24, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

DOI BLM

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir?

South Cottonwood 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 South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir?

South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir is owned by DOI BLM (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir built?

South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir?

South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir last inspected?

South Cottonwood Creek Reservoir was last inspected on September 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.