Miller Reservoir (Harney) dam
Miller Reservoir (Harney)
Miller Reservoir in Harney, Oregon, is a privately-owned structure utilized for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1947, this earth dam stands at a height of 48 feet and has a storage capacity of 362 acre-feet. Situated on Gould Creek, the reservoir covers a surface area of 36 acres and serves a drainage area of 3.3 square miles. With a low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its current condition as of the last inspection in April 2015.
Located in the city of Drewsey, Miller Reservoir plays a crucial role in providing water for agricultural activities in the region. Managed by the Oregon Water Resources Department, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its integrity and safety. The reservoir's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and inundation maps are currently not documented, suggesting potential areas for improvement in emergency preparedness.
With its historical significance and importance for local water resource management, Miller Reservoir stands as a testament to the vital role of dams in sustaining agricultural practices in the Harney County area. Climate enthusiasts and water resource specialists can appreciate the reservoir's design, construction, and operational features as a key component of the region's irrigation infrastructure. As efforts continue to enhance dam safety and emergency response protocols, Miller Reservoir remains a valuable asset for ensuring water supply reliability in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Miller Reservoir (Harney) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Malheur River At Beulah Or | 1 cfs | → |
| Malheur R Be Warmsprings Res Nr Riverside Or | 0 cfs | → |
| John Day R At Blue Mtn Hot Spgs Nr Prairie City | 32 cfs | → |
| John Day River Near John Day | 68 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Miller Reservoir (Harney).
Boat launches
- North Warm Springs
- North Point Boat Launch 1
- North Point Boat Launch 2
- Beulah Reservoir Ramp
- Warm Springs Reservoir South Boat Ramp
- Middle Warm Springs
Campgrounds
- Rock Springs Campground
- Rock Springs
- Joaquin Miller Horse Camp
- Chukar Park
- Parish Cabin
- Parish Cabin Campground
Paddle runs
Track Miller Reservoir (Harney) 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 Miller Reservoir (Harney)
Where does the data for Miller Reservoir (Harney) 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 Low 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 Miller Reservoir (Harney).