Sutherlin Mill (Fords Pond) dam
Sutherlin Mill (Fords Pond)
Sutherlin Mill, also known as Fords Pond, is a privately owned structure in Umpqua, Oregon, regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Completed in 1954, this earth dam stands at 18 feet high with a storage capacity of 1040 acre-feet and serves a primary purpose that falls under the category of 'Other'. Situated on Calapooya Creek, this dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3.
The dam has a structural height of 18 feet and a hydraulic height of 15 feet, with a length of 3740 feet and a surface area of 130 acres. It is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has a maximum discharge of 60 cubic feet per second. The last inspection was conducted in April 2019, with an inspection frequency of every 6 years. Despite being in a moderate risk category, the dam has not been assessed for its condition and does not have an established Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place.
Overall, Sutherlin Mill (Fords Pond) presents an interesting case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts due to its historical significance and regulatory framework. With a unique design and location on Calapooya Creek, this dam highlights the importance of monitoring and maintaining infrastructure to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region.
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 Sutherlin Mill (Fords Pond) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Umpqua River At Winchester | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Little Wolf Creek Near Tyee | 3 cfs | → |
| Umpqua River Near Elkton | 1,530 cfs | → |
| South Umpqua River Near Brockway | 345 cfs | → |
| Little River At Peel | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Coast Fork Willamette R Blw Cottage Grove Dam | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sutherlin Mill (Fords Pond).
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Amacher County Park
- Amacher Park
- Tyee Recreation Site
- Tyee - Sutherlin
- Eagleview Group Site
- Whistlers Bend County Park
Track Sutherlin Mill (Fords 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 Sutherlin Mill (Fords Pond)
Where does the data for Sutherlin Mill (Fords 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 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 Sutherlin Mill (Fords Pond).