Smith Reservoir dam
Smith Reservoir
Smith Reservoir, located in Bonanza, Oregon, is a privately owned water resource managed primarily for irrigation purposes. The reservoir, completed in 1970, has a dam height of 19 feet and a storage capacity of 920 acre-feet. Fed by multiple rivers and streams including Dobe, Pine, L. Pine, and Rat Creek, Smith Reservoir covers a surface area of 99.4 acres and serves as a vital water source for agricultural activities in the Klamath County area.
Despite its low hazard potential and not being rated for condition assessment, Smith Reservoir is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department, with regular inspections conducted to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations. The reservoir's outlet gates consist of a slide (sluice gate) for water release, and it is situated within the San Francisco District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The surrounding area, represented by Congressman Greg Walden, benefits from the reliable water supply provided by Smith Reservoir for irrigation needs.
Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience in the Klamath, Oregon region can appreciate the significance of Smith Reservoir as a vital component of the local water infrastructure. With its strategic location and capacity to store and release water for irrigation purposes, Smith Reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities and ensuring water security in the area. As climate change impacts water availability, reservoirs like Smith will be essential for managing and optimizing water resources for sustainable development and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
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 Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Link River At Klamath Falls | 1,440 cfs | → |
| North Canal At Highway 97 | 30 cfs | → |
| Ady Canal At Highway 97 | 39 cfs | → |
| Klamath Straits Drain Near Worden | 1 cfs | → |
| Klamath River At Keno | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Klamath River Blw John C.Boyle Pwrplnt | 1,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Willow Valley Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Willow Valley
- Barnes Valley
- South Gerber Campground
- Holbrook
- Heart Lake Landing
Campgrounds
- Gerber Reservoir
- Upper Midway Camp
- Wildhorse Camp
- Basin Camp
- Rock Creek Camp
- Tulelake - Butte Valley Fair Rv Park
Track Smith Reservoir 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 Reservoir
Where does the data for Smith Reservoir 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 Reservoir.