Opal Springs dam
Opal Springs
Opal Springs, a hydroelectric facility located in Jefferson, Oregon, is a remarkable structure designed by CH2M-Hill and completed in 1985. This rockfill dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans 177 feet in length, with a primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power and supplying water. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 41 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 119 acre-feet, serving as a vital resource for the surrounding area.
Operated under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Opal Springs plays a crucial role in managing water resources and ensuring the safety of the Crooked River. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam is regularly inspected to maintain its structural integrity and emergency preparedness. Despite its humble size, Opal Springs serves as a testament to sustainable energy production and water management practices, making it a significant asset for both the local community and the environment.
As a key player in the region's water supply and hydroelectric power generation, Opal Springs stands as a testament to effective dam design and operation. With its unique rockfill construction and controlled spillway, the facility showcases the intersection of engineering innovation and environmental stewardship. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Opal Springs serves as a model for sustainable infrastructure that balances the needs of the community with the preservation of natural ecosystems.
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 Opal Springs -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crooked River Below Opal Springs | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Culver | 554 cfs | → |
| Crooked River Blw Osborne Canyon | 94 cfs | → |
| Metolius River Near Grandview | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Madras | 3,660 cfs | → |
| Shitike Creek Near Warm Springs | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Opal Springs.
Boat launches
- Cove Palisades Marina
- Haystack West
- Haystack Campground
- Perry South
- Pelton Park
- Warm Springs Boat Ramp (State Park)
Campgrounds
- Cove Palisades State Park
- Steelhead Falls Campground
- Haystack West Shore Campground And Day Use Area
- Haystack South Shore Group Campground
- Blm Beach Campground
- Haystack Reservoir Campground And Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Crooked River National Grassland Boundary To Confluence With Deschutes River
- Canyon Run (Lower Bridge To Billy Chinook Res.)
- Cline Falls State Park To Lower Bridge
- Source To Confluence With Metolius River
- Warm Springs To Sherars Falls
- Tumalo State Park To Cline Falls State Park
More reservoirs
Track Opal Springs 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 Opal Springs
Where does the data for Opal Springs 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 Opal Springs.