Morgan Lake dam
Morgan Lake
Morgan Lake, located in La Grande, Oregon, is a picturesque reservoir primarily used for recreation. Completed in 1976, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 23 feet and has a storage capacity of 780 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 75 acres and is fed by Sheep Creek and Deal Canyon, providing a serene setting for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Despite its scenic beauty and recreational appeal, Morgan Lake has been designated as having a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment. This assessment raises concerns about the safety and maintenance of the dam structure. The last inspection in August 2021 highlighted the need for improvements, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. It is crucial for local authorities and relevant agencies to address these concerns and implement necessary risk management measures to ensure the safety and longevity of Morgan Lake for future generations to enjoy.
With its close proximity to the city of La Grande and its importance as a local recreation spot, Morgan Lake serves as a valuable water resource in Union County, Oregon. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor and support efforts to maintain and enhance the sustainability of this reservoir. By addressing the identified risks and improving the condition of the dam structure, Morgan Lake can continue to be a beloved outdoor destination while safeguarding the surrounding environment and community.
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 Morgan Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Meacham Creek At Gibbon | 14 cfs | → |
| Minam River Near Minam | 724 cfs | → |
| Umatilla River Above Meacham Creek | 98 cfs | → |
| Umatilla R At W Reservation Bndy Nr Pendleton | 116 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Walla Walla | 46 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Walla Walla | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morgan Lake.
Boat launches
- Morgan Lake Campground
- Wolf Creek Boat Ramp
- Pilcher Creek Reservoir
- Grande Ronde Lake Campground
- Grande Ronde Boat Launch
- Anthony Lakes Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Bird Track Springs
- Bird Track Springs Campground
- Summit Guard Station
- Spool Cart
- Spool Cart Campground
- Hu - Na - Ha Rv Park
Track Morgan Lake 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 Morgan Lake
Where does the data for Morgan Lake 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 Morgan Lake.