Willow Creek 3 (Malheur) dam
Willow Creek 3 (Malheur)
Willow Creek 3 (Malheur) is a private earth dam located in Brogan, Oregon, with a primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1944, this dam stands at a height of 110 feet and has a storage capacity of 49,000 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 275 square miles and a maximum discharge of 17,000 cubic feet per second, Willow Creek 3 plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
Despite its important role in irrigation, Willow Creek 3 poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed as unsatisfactory in condition. The last inspection in October 2021 revealed the need for significant improvements to ensure the safety and efficacy of the dam. The risk assessment for this dam is classified as moderate, indicating the need for proactive risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of downstream communities and ecosystems.
As a vital water resource infrastructure in Malheur County, Oregon, Willow Creek 3 (Malheur) serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with managing and maintaining dams for agricultural and environmental purposes. With its location in a high-risk area and unsatisfactory condition, efforts must be directed towards addressing the identified issues and implementing appropriate risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding communities and water resources for future generations.
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 Willow Creek 3 (Malheur) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Malheur River Below Nevada Dam Near Vale Or | 23 cfs | → |
| Snake River At Weiser Id | 13,100 cfs | → |
| North Fork Malheur River At Beulah Or | 1 cfs | → |
| Payette River Nr Payette Id | 5,040 cfs | → |
| Crane Creek At Mouth Nr Weiser Id | 2 cfs | → |
| John Day R At Blue Mtn Hot Spgs Nr Prairie City | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Creek 3 (Malheur).
Boat launches
- Malheur Reservoir
- Spring Recreation Site
- Bully Creek Campground
- Unity Lake State Recreation Site
- Oasis Rv Park
- Mason Ramp
Campgrounds
Track Willow Creek 3 (Malheur) 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 Willow Creek 3 (Malheur)
Where does the data for Willow Creek 3 (Malheur) 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 Willow Creek 3 (Malheur).