Spillway Dam dam
Spillway Dam
Spillway Dam, also known as Bull Run Reservoir No. 2 Spillway Crest, is a vital water resource infrastructure located in Troutdale, Oregon. Designed by Steven & Thompson of Portland, OR, and completed in 1962, this earth dam stands at a towering height of 180 feet and serves primarily for water supply purposes. With a storage capacity of 25,000 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in providing a reliable water source for the surrounding area.
Situated on the Bull Run River, the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 73,000 cubic feet per second and features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 450 feet. The dam's hazard potential is categorized as high, and it is under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, ensuring its safe operation and maintenance. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, with no documented condition assessment available.
Overall, Spillway Dam stands as a key component of Oregon's water supply infrastructure, contributing to the region's hydroelectric power generation and water storage capacity. Its strategic location, impressive dimensions, and critical role in water management make it a significant asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water infrastructure development and management.
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 Spillway Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Run River Near Bull Run | 130 cfs | → |
| South Fork Bull Run River Near Bull Run | 49 cfs | → |
| Little Sandy River Near Bull Run | 44 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Marmot | 665 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Blw Bull Run River | 1,150 cfs | → |
| North Fork Bull Run River Near Multnomah Falls | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spillway Dam.
Boat launches
- Interstate 84, Corbett
- Dalton Point, Bridal Veil
- Northeast Bucher Lane 60505, Cascade Locks
- Lewis And Clark State Park
- Feldheimer Park
- Doetsch Ranch Road, Stevenson
Campgrounds
- Oxbow Regional Park
- Ainsworth Campground
- Ainsworth State Park
- Barton Park
- Barton Park Camping
- Woodard Creek Campground
Track Spillway Dam 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 Spillway Dam
Where does the data for Spillway Dam 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 Spillway Dam.