Smith Lake dam
Smith Lake
Smith Lake in Oregon is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. The earth dam, standing at a height of 26 feet, was completed in 1948 and has a storage capacity of 1155 acre-feet. Situated on the Powder River, the lake covers a surface area of 54.5 acres and has a normal storage capacity of 580 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Oregon Water Resources Department to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations.
The dam at Smith Lake plays a crucial role in providing water for agricultural irrigation in the region. The reservoir, with a maximum discharge capacity of 700 cubic feet per second, serves as a vital resource for maintaining water supplies during dry periods. In addition to its practical importance, Smith Lake also offers a scenic recreational spot for nature enthusiasts and climate-conscious individuals interested in sustainable water resource management. With its peaceful surroundings and essential role in supporting local agriculture, Smith Lake stands as a testament to the intersection of human development and environmental stewardship.
Despite its low hazard potential and not being rated for condition assessment, Smith Lake remains a key feature of the landscape in Baker, Oregon. With its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century, the reservoir continues to be a valuable asset for the community. As climate change impacts water resources, the importance of reservoirs like Smith Lake in ensuring water security and sustainability will only continue to grow, making it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Smith Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| John Day R At Blue Mtn Hot Spgs Nr Prairie City | 34 cfs | → |
| Snake River At Weiser Id | 13,800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Lake.
Boat launches
- Mason Ramp
- Southwest Shore Boat Launch
- Thief Valley
- Balm Creek
- Wolf Creek Boat Ramp
- Pilcher Creek Reservoir
Campgrounds
- Union Creek
- Millers Lane
- Millers Lane Campground
- Southwest Shore
- Southwest Shore Campground
- Apple Orchard
Track Smith Lake 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 Smith Lake
Where does the data for Smith Lake 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 Smith Lake.