Ettinger Pond dam
Ettinger Pond
Ettinger Pond, located in Orenco, Oregon, is a privately owned water resource primarily used for irrigation purposes. Built in 1954, this earthen dam structure stands at 16 feet in height and has a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet. The pond covers a surface area of 7.8 acres and is fed by Gordon Creek, providing essential water supply for agricultural needs in the region.
Managed by the Oregon Water Resources Department, Ettinger Pond is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. With a significant hazard potential, emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) are crucial for mitigating risks associated with the dam. The outlet gates of the dam are designed as needle gates, allowing for controlled release of water during peak flow periods. Local authorities, including Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, oversee the regulatory compliance and enforcement measures for this vital water resource.
Water and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management and dam infrastructure will find Ettinger Pond to be a fascinating case study. With its historical significance, hydraulic design features, and regulatory framework, this pond serves as a critical lifeline for irrigation in the Washington County area. As efforts to address climate change and water scarcity intensify, understanding the role of such water resources in supporting agricultural resilience and ecosystem health becomes increasingly essential.
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 Ettinger Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fanno Creek At 56th Ave | 0 cfs | → |
| Tualatin River Near Dilley | 101 cfs | → |
| Fanno Creek At Durham | 10 cfs | → |
| Willamette River At Portland | 16,200 cfs | → |
| Tryon Creek Blw Nettle Creek | 2 cfs | → |
| Columbia Slough At Portland | 624 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ettinger Pond.
Boat launches
- Crescent Park Greenway Hillsboro
- Cook Park
- Tualatin Community Park
- Columbia Slough
- Swan Island Ramp
- Sauvie Island Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Track Ettinger Pond 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 Ettinger Pond
Where does the data for Ettinger Pond 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 Significant 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 Ettinger Pond.