Ruckmans Reservoir dam
Ruckmans Reservoir
Ruckmans Reservoir, located in Imbler, Oregon, along the Grande Ronde River, is a privately owned water resource essential for irrigation purposes. Built in 1963, this earth dam structure stands at 20 feet high with a storage capacity of 76 acre-feet, serving as a vital water source for agricultural activities in the region. With a surface area of 15 acres and a maximum discharge rate of 32 cubic feet per second, the reservoir plays a crucial role in sustaining the local farming community.
Despite its low hazard potential, Ruckmans Reservoir is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department, ensuring that the dam meets necessary safety standards. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in October 2012, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 6 years. The reservoir's emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures are currently not rated, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and management to safeguard against potential risks and ensure the sustainability of this vital water resource in Union County.
With its strategic location and importance for irrigation, Ruckmans Reservoir serves as a key asset for water management in the region. As climate change impacts water resources, it is essential to prioritize the maintenance and regulation of such reservoirs to ensure their long-term viability and resilience in the face of evolving 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 Ruckmans Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minam River Near Minam | 724 cfs | → |
| Meacham Creek At Gibbon | 14 cfs | → |
| Umatilla River Above Meacham Creek | 98 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Walla Walla | 46 cfs | → |
| Umatilla R At W Reservation Bndy Nr Pendleton | 116 cfs | → |
| Grande Ronde River At Troy | 2,030 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ruckmans Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Morgan Lake Campground
- Minam State Recreation Area
- Palmer Junction Boat Launch
- Wolf Creek Boat Ramp
- Pilcher Creek Reservoir
- Thief Valley
Campgrounds
- Hu - Na - Ha Rv Park
- Summit Guard Station
- Moss Springs Campground
- Moss Springs
- Minam State Park
- Bear Creek Campground
Paddle runs
- Headwaters (Just North Of Confluence Of Mf Five Points Creek) To Wallowa-Whitman Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Van Patten Creek
- Headwaters To Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary
- Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Eagle Crek
- Joseph Creek
- Grande Ronde River (Lower)
Track Ruckmans 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 Ruckmans Reservoir
Where does the data for Ruckmans 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 Ruckmans Reservoir.