Watson Reservoir

WATSON CREEK· Crook, Oregon· Built 1970· Earth· 32 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Watson Reservoir is classified as low hazard in Oregon. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 32 ft (taller than 63.9% in OR)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.1K acre-ft
Surface Area104 acres
Drainage Area22 sq mi
Max Discharge1,250 cfs
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDOR00521

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 22, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRD

Ownership

HAMILTON RANCH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Watson Reservoir?

Watson 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 Watson Reservoir?

Watson Reservoir is owned by HAMILTON RANCH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Watson Reservoir built?

Watson Reservoir was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Watson Reservoir?

Watson 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 Watson Reservoir?

Watson Reservoir has a dam height of 32 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 Watson Reservoir last inspected?

Watson Reservoir was last inspected on June 22, 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.