Vane Ranch Reservoir dam
Vane Ranch Reservoir
Vane Ranch Reservoir, nestled in the picturesque Malheur County of Oregon, serves as a vital water source for irrigation purposes since its completion in 1950. This private reservoir, managed by the state regulatory agency OWRD, holds a capacity of 75 acre-feet and covers an expansive surface area of 3 acres. Situated along Birch Creek and owned privately, Vane Ranch Reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region, ensuring a steady water supply for crops and livestock.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of 'Not Rated', Vane Ranch Reservoir stands as a reliable structure for water storage and management. The dam, primarily an earth type standing at 32 feet, boasts a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a structural height of 33 feet. Regular inspections, last conducted in May 2019, ensure the safety and functionality of the reservoir, with a mandated inspection frequency of 6 years. Despite its modest size and capacity, Vane Ranch Reservoir continues to play a significant role in sustaining the agricultural landscape of Homestead and surrounding areas in Malheur County.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and availability, the strategic location and efficient management of Vane Ranch Reservoir highlight its importance in ensuring a reliable water supply for irrigation needs in the region. Supported by the Portland District and state regulatory agencies, this reservoir stands as a testament to responsible water resource management, providing a lifeline for agricultural activities in the area. As water and climate enthusiasts, the data surrounding Vane Ranch Reservoir offers a glimpse into the intricate network of water infrastructure that sustains our ecosystems and livelihoods, emphasizing the need for continued stewardship and conservation efforts in the face of changing environmental dynamics.
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 Vane Ranch Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River At Weiser Id | 13,100 cfs | → |
| Malheur River Below Nevada Dam Near Vale Or | 23 cfs | → |
| Payette River Nr Payette Id | 5,040 cfs | → |
| Crane Creek At Mouth Nr Weiser Id | 2 cfs | → |
| Weiser River Nr Weiser Id | 743 cfs | → |
| Snake River At Nyssa Or | 7,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vane Ranch Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Oasis Rv Park
- Spring Recreation Site
- Bully Creek Campground
- Ontario State Park
- Malheur Reservoir
- Swede's Landing Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Oasis
- Catfish Junction Rv Park
- Steck Park
- Spring
- Spring Recreation Site
- Bully Creek Reservoir County Park
Track Vane Ranch Reservoir 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 Vane Ranch Reservoir
Where does the data for Vane Ranch Reservoir 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 Vane Ranch Reservoir.