Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur)

SOUTH FORK INDIAN CREEK· Malheur, Oregon· Built 1959· Earth· 64 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1959 and is 67 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 64 ft (taller than 88.9% in OR)
Dam Length165 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage825 acre-ft
Normal Storage825 acre-ft
Surface Area37 acres
Drainage Area13 sq mi
Max Discharge675 cfs
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)
NID IDOR00322

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 1, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

THE RANCH HOLDING COMPANY LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur)?

Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) 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 Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur)?

Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) is owned by THE RANCH HOLDING COMPANY LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) built?

Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) was completed in 1959, making it 67 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 Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur)?

Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) 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 Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur)?

Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) has a dam height of 64 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 Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) last inspected?

Vaughn Reservoir (Malheur) was last inspected on October 1, 2018. 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.