Portland #3 (Washington Park) dam
Portland #3 (Washington Park)
Portland #3 (Washington Park) is a gravity-type dam located in Multnomah County, Oregon, with a primary purpose of water supply from the Bull Run River. Constructed in 1894, this historic dam stands at a height of 53 feet and has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. With a maximum discharge of 300 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability for the city of Portland.
Owned by the local government and regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department, Portland #3 is classified as having a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as being in satisfactory condition. The dam features slide gates for outlet control and undergoes inspections annually to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its age, Portland #3 continues to serve as a vital water resource infrastructure in the region, providing a reliable water supply for the surrounding areas.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Portland #3 offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship. As a key component of the region's water supply infrastructure, this dam exemplifies the importance of maintaining and regulating critical water resources for sustainable use and resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions. With its rich history and ongoing role in water management, Portland #3 (Washington Park) serves as a testament to the enduring significance of water resources in shaping the development and sustainability of communities.
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 Portland #3 (Washington Park) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Willamette River At Portland | 17,500 cfs | → |
| Fanno Creek At 56th Ave | 0 cfs | → |
| Johnson Creek At Milwaukie | 21 cfs | → |
| Tryon Creek Blw Nettle Creek | 1 cfs | → |
| Fanno Creek At Durham | 8 cfs | → |
| Columbia Slough At Portland | 580 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Portland #3 (Washington Park).
Boat launches
- South Waterfront Park Trail Downtown
- Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade Hosford-Abernethy
- Duckworth Memorial Dock
- South Waterfront Greenway Central District Water Access Path South Portland
- Swan Island Ramp
- Sellwood Riverfront Park
Campgrounds
Track Portland #3 (Washington Park) 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 Portland #3 (Washington Park)
Where does the data for Portland #3 (Washington Park) 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 Portland #3 (Washington Park).