Little Park Dam dam
Little Park Dam
Little Park Dam, also known as Fisk Reservoir, is a private-owned structure located in Union, Oregon. Completed in 1958, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 31 feet and serves primarily for irrigation purposes along Thorn Creek. With a storage capacity of 320 acre-feet and a surface area of 33.5 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Little Park Dam is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With a significant hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, the dam poses both challenges and opportunities for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices. The dam's location in the Portland District and its historical significance make it a focal point for ongoing discussions on dam safety and risk management in the area.
As climate change continues to impact water resources globally, the maintenance and regulation of dams like Little Park Dam are essential for ensuring water security and resilience in the face of evolving climatic conditions. With its vital role in supporting irrigation activities and water storage along Thorn Creek, Little Park Dam remains a key infrastructure for both local agriculture and environmental conservation efforts in Union, Oregon.
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 Little Park Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minam River Near Minam | 724 cfs | → |
| Snake River At Hells Canyon Dam Id-Or State Line | 19,200 cfs | → |
| Imnaha River At Imnaha | 150 cfs | → |
| Meacham Creek At Gibbon | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Park Dam.
Boat launches
- Thief Valley
- Balm Creek
- Wolf Creek Boat Ramp
- Pilcher Creek Reservoir
- Anthony Lakes Boat Launch
- Anthony Lake Campground
Campgrounds
- North Fork Catherine Creek Campground
- Catherine Creek
- North Fork Catherine Creek Group Campground
- Catherine Creek State Park
- West Eagle
- West Eagle Meadow Campground
Paddle runs
- Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Eagle Crek
- Headwaters To Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Van Patten Creek
- Headwaters (Just North Of Confluence Of Mf Five Points Creek) To Wallowa-Whitman Nf Boundary
- Hells Canyon (Hells Canyon Dam To Pittsburg Landing)
Track Little Park 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 Little Park Dam
Where does the data for Little Park 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 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 Little Park Dam.