Bennett Dam dam
Bennett Dam
Bennett Dam, located in Baker, Oregon, serves as a crucial irrigation structure for the region, drawing water from East Sutton Creek and Sheep Flat. Constructed in 1908, this private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet, with a storage capacity of 250 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is to support irrigation activities in the area, with a normal storage capacity of 206 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 45 cubic feet per second.
Despite its low hazard potential, Bennett Dam is regulated and inspected by the Oregon Water Resources Department to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam features slide (sluice gate) outlet gates and has a surface area of 23.6 acres, serving as a vital resource for water management in the region. The dam's last inspection was conducted in October 2018, with an inspection frequency of six years, and its condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Rated."
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Bennett Dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities and water supply in Baker, Oregon. Its strategic location and design make it an essential asset for managing water resources in the area, showcasing the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of climate change 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 Bennett Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River At Weiser Id | 13,100 cfs | → |
| John Day R At Blue Mtn Hot Spgs Nr Prairie City | 32 cfs | → |
| Malheur River Below Nevada Dam Near Vale Or | 23 cfs | → |
| Crane Creek At Mouth Nr Weiser Id | 2 cfs | → |
| Weiser River Nr Weiser Id | 743 cfs | → |
| Weiser River Nr Cambridge Id | 420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bennett Dam.
Boat launches
- Mason Ramp
- Southwest Shore Boat Launch
- Malheur Reservoir
- Unity Lake State Recreation Site
- Balm Creek
- Thief Valley
Campgrounds
- Apple Orchard
- Union Creek
- Millers Lane
- Millers Lane Campground
- Southwest Shore
- Southwest Shore Campground
Track Bennett 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 Bennett Dam
Where does the data for Bennett 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 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 Bennett Dam.