North Fork dam
North Fork
North Fork, also known as Rock Creek Reservoir, is a local government-owned water supply dam located in Philomath, Oregon. Built in 1960 by CH2M HILL, this earth dam stands at a height of 81 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 305 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 6.5 acres and serves the purpose of water supply for the surrounding area.
With a drainage area of 3.3 square miles and a maximum discharge of 1650 cubic feet per second, North Fork is a key infrastructure for water resource management in Benton County, Oregon. Despite being in fair condition according to the latest assessment in August 2020, the dam poses a high hazard potential. Regular inspections and enforcement by the Oregon Water Resources Department ensure the safety and reliability of this essential water supply structure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be fascinated by the technical details of North Fork, including its design specifications and operational history. As a critical component of the local water supply system, this dam plays a vital role in ensuring water availability for the community while also posing unique challenges in terms of risk management and emergency preparedness. The intersection of engineering, environmental conservation, and public safety can be seen in the ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts for North Fork, making it a noteworthy site for those interested in sustainable water infrastructure.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around North Fork -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marys River Near Philomath | 115 cfs | → |
| Willamette River At Corvallis | 6,340 cfs | → |
| Long Tom River At Monroe | 96 cfs | → |
| Alsea River Near Tidewater | 429 cfs | → |
| East Fork Lobster Creek Near Alsea | 4 cfs | → |
| Willamette River At Albany | 6,720 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Fork.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Marys Peak
- Marys Peak Campground
- Philomath Frolic And Rodeo Grounds
- Benton Oaks Rv
- Big Elk Campground
- Alsea Falls
Paddle runs
Track North Fork in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About North Fork
Where does the data for North Fork come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of North Fork.